Saint George Monastery in Vrachasi

The monastery of Saint George (Agios Georgios) in Vrachasi is located 1km southwest of the village Vrachasi , near Neapolis . Today it is uninhabited, but several monk cells, the central church, the dining room, the olive oil mill, the bakery and some other buildings have been restored.

The second aisle of the two-aisled church is dedicated to Saint Demetrius (Agios Dimitrios) . On the south side of the temple there is a wonderful relief depicting Saint George killing the dragon, above the names of the founders Ioakim and Makarios .

The interior hosts a wonderful carved wooden iconostasis (templon) adorned by the famous wood carvers from Mesa Lasithi , Markakis brothers. On the north side of the wall, there are very old frescoes, dating back in the 14th century, that is much earlier than the first recorded abbacy of Ioakim Kontoioannis in 1549.

In fact, the prosperity of the monastery dates back to the 16th century, when the imposing bell tower (1558) was built and the second aisle of Saint Demetrius (1592) was added.. The monastery has actively participated in the revolutionary movements against the Turks, during which it suffered tremendous damages.