Panagia Kera church at Sarchos

Near the village Sarchos we meet one of the most impressive churches of Cretan innerland with a beautiful relief entrance and rear window, which is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary . The church dates back to the 14th century and is double-aisled, bearing very important frescoes.

It is located in a lush green location, above a small tributary of the river Gazanos . It is believed that Panagia Kera was the main temple of a small monastery, as we see traces of monk cells.

The initial temple was single-aisled (14th century) with the second aisle added in the 15th century. The initial aisle bears an amazing relief doorway with the date 1635.

The apse of a sanctuary is decorated with stone pillars ending in a Corinthian type capital.