Cathedral of Saint Minas
Cathedral of Saint Minas features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Heraklion. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Heraklion Heraklion guide
About Cathedral of Saint Minas
The largest cathedral on Crete, seat of the island's archbishop, guarded by an unexploded World War II bomb that still stands, inert, beside its north wall.
The Cathedral of Saint Minas is dedicated to Saint Menas, a martyr of the early fourth century who is the patron saint and protector of Heraklion, celebrated each year on 11 November. Its foundation stone was laid in 1862, but construction was interrupted by the Cretan Revolution of 1866 to 1869 and resumed only in 1883, and the cathedral was completed in 1895. It was designed by the architect Athanasios Moussis.
The seat of the Archbishop of Crete, it is the largest cathedral on the island. The cruciform, domed building is about 43.2 metres long and 29.5 metres wide, with an interior of roughly 1,350 square metres. A bomb dropped during the German aerial bombing of Heraklion in May 1941 failed to explode, and the inert bomb still stands in front of the cathedral's north facade.
Did you know? A bomb dropped during the German aerial bombing of Heraklion in May 1941 failed to explode. The inert bomb still stands in front of the cathedral's north facade to this day.
How long is a visit to Cathedral of Saint Minas?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Cathedral of Saint Minas. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Cathedral of Saint Minas worth your time?
Cathedral of Saint Minas is among the 20 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Heraklion, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Heraklion
Day 1 of the Heraklion in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Cathedral of Saint Minas
Preview the Heraklion tour free in the Gingerguide app.