Faneromeni Monastery near Sitia
Panagia Faneromeni Monastery stands in the Trachilas area of Sitia, 8 km west of Sitia town and about 1.5 km from the sea. Faneromeni, meaning the Revealed Virgin Mary, sits on the brink of a steep drop between Cape Trachilas and Babakia, in green ground beside the small Agii Pantes gorge.
The monastery is almost deserted for most of the year. It fills once, on 15 August, when pilgrims from the surrounding area walk up for the feast of the Assumption.
The church and its frescoes
A two-aisled church stands at the heart of the monastery, dedicated to the Assumption, celebrated on 15 August, and to St. George, celebrated on 3 November. Ancient frescoes dating from 1455 cover the walls inside. The paintings have been blackened by a fire, most likely set by the Turks, so they survive as darkened panels rather than clear scenes.
The buildings around the courtyard
Several small structures ring the courtyard and together form a tiny settlement, used by pilgrims who stay over during the August celebrations. Alongside those modern buildings are the older parts of the monastery, listed below.
- Six ancient monk cells, which keep their medieval architecture.
- The “Big Cell”, carrying a medieval arch, which worked as an olive oil mill, or fabrica.
- The “Oven-house”, where the monks baked their bread.
- The small “Hermit’s Cave” beside the sanctuary of the church, where the icon is kept.
How the monastery got its name
The name Faneromeni means “Revealed”, and it comes from the icon of the Virgin Mary that appeared in the small Hermit’s Cave next to the sanctuary of the church. The legend behind it explains the word.
A shepherd found the icon in the cave and put it in his bag along with his lunch. When he got home he asked his wife to look inside the bag, and she found only food. He went back to the cave the next day and the icon had reappeared in the same spot. He took it again, and the same sequence happened twice more. He then understood that the Virgin Mary meant to stay there, and he enlisted two monks to build a monastery on the site. The small icon is still preserved in the crevice of the cave.
The pilgrimage on 15 August
Crowds of pilgrims reach Faneromeni on 15 August and on almost no other day. A traditional ceremony marks the feast: the icon of the Virgin Mary, known as the “Revealed Lady”, is carried on foot from the St. George church in Skopi, with the pilgrims walking behind it.
The Agii Pantes gorge
The small Agii Pantes gorge, meaning All Saints, runs beside the monastery and suits a slow walk rather than a hike. Numerous caves open along it, and those caves were once the homes of the monastery’s hermits, which makes the gorge part of the site rather than a separate excursion.
Getting to Faneromeni Monastery
Drive west out of Sitia for 8 km to reach the monastery, which sits inland of the coast by about 1.5 km. The road ends on the edge of the steep ground between Cape Trachilas and Babakia. Platani beach lies 600 m away, the nearest swim to the monastery.
What else is nearby
Sitia and its archaeological sites lie within about 10 km of Faneromeni, and the Richtis gorge reaches the coast a little further west. The places below are listed by distance from the monastery.
- Platani beach sits 600 m from the monastery.
- Charkomatas Gorge starts 3 km away.
- Sitia is 8 km east by road, and our guide to things to do in Sitia covers the town.
- The Piskokefalo Minoan mansion lies 5 km away, near Piskokefalo village at 5.4 km.
- Sitia beach is 5.2 km from the monastery.
- Ancient Trypitos stands 6.7 km away.
- Richtis beach lies 7.5 km out, and Richtis Gorge 7.7 km.
- The Agia Fotia necropolis is 8.2 km from Faneromeni.
- The Pressos archaeological site lies inland, south of Sitia.
- Toplou Monastery stands on the far side of Sitia, 10 km east of the town.
- The Mochlos ruins and the Mochlos beaches lie further west along the same coast.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Faneromeni Monastery near Sitia?
Faneromeni stands in the Trachilas area, 8 km west of Sitia town and about 1.5 km from the sea. The monastery sits on the edge of steep ground between Cape Trachilas and Babakia.
What does the name Faneromeni mean?
Faneromeni means “Revealed”. The name comes from the icon of the Virgin Mary that appeared in the small Hermit’s Cave beside the church sanctuary, and the icon is still kept in the crevice of that cave.
When do pilgrims visit Faneromeni Monastery?
On 15 August, the feast of the Assumption. The icon known as the “Revealed Lady” is carried on foot from the St. George church in Skopi, with pilgrims walking behind it, and the small buildings round the courtyard house them during the celebration.
How old are the frescoes at Faneromeni Monastery?
The frescoes date from 1455. A fire, most likely set by the Turks, blackened them, so the paintings survive in darkened condition.
What is the church at Faneromeni dedicated to?
The two-aisled church is dedicated to the Assumption and to St. George. Their feasts fall on 15 August and 3 November.
Can you walk the gorge at Faneromeni Monastery?
Yes, the small Agii Pantes gorge runs beside the monastery and suits a short stroll. Caves along it were once the homes of the monastery’s hermits.
Location
Faneromeni Monastery near Sitia is located at Faneromeni Monastery near Sitia, in the Lassithi region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
