Holy Monastery of Saint George Selinari
Vrachasi – Crete
Holy Monastery of Saint George Selinari, Vrachasi – Crete
The Holy Monastery of Saint George Selinari (Agios Georgios Selinari) is one of the best-known religious landmarks in eastern Crete. It is built on the southern side of Selinari Gorge, beside the main road connecting Agios Nikolaos with Heraklion, near the village of Vrachasi.
Surrounded by steep rocky slopes and lush vegetation, the monastery is a popular pilgrimage destination and an important place of worship for travellers crossing this part of the island. Saint George is particularly honoured here as the protector of travellers, and many visitors stop at the monastery to pay their respects before continuing their journey.
Although the modern monastery was officially established in 1961, its historic church dates back to the Venetian period and is believed to have been built in the 16th century.
History and Religious Significance
According to local tradition, the origins of the monastery are connected with three brothers who came to Crete from Rhodes after the Ottoman conquest of the island in 1522. They settled near Vrachasi and eventually established a small place of worship dedicated to Saint George. This story forms part of the monastery's tradition, although its earliest history is not fully documented.
The area was also associated with ascetics who lived in the surrounding mountains and rocky landscape. The old church of Saint George is believed to date from the late Venetian period, although later alterations make its exact construction date difficult to establish.
One of the earliest written references to the wider area comes from a document dated 1638, which mentions the nearby Monastery of Saint Peter at Selinari, now in ruins.
The church of Saint George gradually became an important pilgrimage destination. After the construction of the old national road in 1925, the number of travellers passing through the gorge increased, and the church became a familiar stopping point for people travelling between Heraklion and eastern Crete.
The modern monastery was officially established in 1961. In the following years, additional buildings and facilities were developed to serve the monastic community and the growing number of pilgrims.
Architecture and Monastery Complex
The monastery complex is arranged across two elongated levels along the southern side of Selinari Gorge. Its layout follows the natural shape of the hillside, creating a series of connected buildings and open spaces.
The main entrance is located at the eastern end of the lower level. It is a distinctive three-part structure decorated with mosaic panels. Just inside the entrance stands a historic stone fountain, built in 1923 by Emmanouil Fthenos and decorated with carved stone details.
A short distance from the fountain is the old Church of Saint George, the historic centre of the monastery. It is a small, single-nave church covered by a vaulted roof with a pointed arch. Its stone doorframes and decorative features are among its most interesting architectural details.
The monastery also includes two newer churches: the Church of the Epiphany, built in 2000, and the Church of the Resurrection, established in 1992. Other buildings accommodate the monks' quarters, administrative spaces and facilities for visitors.
The Historic Church and Religious Collection
The old Church of Saint George is the most historically significant part of the monastery. Despite its relatively small size, it has played a central role in the religious life of the surrounding communities for generations.
One notable architectural feature is a carved stone hagios thyrida — a small opening associated with the sanctuary — decorated with relief details and bearing the date 1813. Some of the church's decorative stone elements were transferred from other churches during restoration work in the 1960s.
The monastery also preserves an ecclesiastical collection containing religious objects and historical items. These include older and newer vestments, liturgical vessels, printed books and icons dating mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries. Together, they offer an insight into the religious and artistic heritage of the monastery and the wider region.
Saint George, Protector of Travellers
Saint George holds a special place in the religious tradition of Selinari. His icon is considered miraculous by the faithful, and the monastery has long been associated with prayers for protection and safe journeys.
Its location beside an important road through a narrow gorge helped establish this connection. For generations, travellers have stopped at the monastery to light a candle, pray and seek the protection of Saint George before continuing their journey.
This tradition remains an important part of the monastery's identity and explains why Selinari is still one of the most recognisable pilgrimage stops in eastern Crete.
What to See at the Monastery
During a visit to the Holy Monastery of Saint George Selinari, visitors can explore:
The Old Church of Saint George: The historic 16th-century church at the heart of the monastery.
The Main Entrance: A distinctive three-part structure decorated with mosaic panels.
The Historic Stone Fountain: Built in 1923 and decorated with carved stone details.
The Church of the Epiphany: A newer church constructed in 2000.
The Church of the Resurrection: A separate church established in 1992.
The Ecclesiastical Collection: A collection of religious objects, vestments, liturgical vessels, books and icons.
Selinari Gorge: The surrounding natural landscape, with its steep slopes, rocky formations and vegetation.
Visiting the Holy Monastery of Saint George Selinari
The monastery is located within Selinari Gorge, beside the main road connecting Agios Nikolaos and Heraklion. Its position makes it an easy stop for visitors travelling between the two regions.
Access is straightforward by car, with a paved road leading directly to the monastery. Visitors should allow time to explore the church and the surrounding complex rather than treating it only as a brief roadside stop.
The monastery celebrates Saint George, with the local feast observed on 8 May. As an active religious site, visitors should dress modestly, respect the monastic environment and follow any instructions regarding access to the churches and other areas.