The Monastery of St. Irene

The monastery of St. Irene is a small convent located on the island of Crete, south of the city of Heraklion. The monastery is recognized as an important historical monument and is protected by the state.

The exact date of the foundation of the monastery of St. Irene is unknown, but historians believe that it was founded during the Venetian domination, in the sixteenth century. Previously, the monastery was considered one of the richest in all of Crete, but in 1822 it was destroyed by the Turks during the occupation of the island. Only in 1944 the monastery was restored to its former splendor.

The monastery of St. Irene is located in a very picturesque place - on the slope of a mountain range, at an altitude of 630 meters. The monastery offers a magnificent panorama of the island, which invariably arouses delight among all visitors. And the monastery itself is very beautiful - the ancient buildings and basilicas buried in greenery delight with their elegant southern architecture. Local nuns can buy religious souvenirs handmade and embroidery.

In general, the monastery of St. Irene is a small but very memorable sight of the island of Crete. This is an unusually pleasant and peaceful place, which is popular with tourists.