Historic Churches of Samaria

The Samaria Gorge houses several historic Byzantine chapels and Greek Orthodox shrines, many dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. These sites, such as the 14th-century Osia Maria which gave the gorge its name, feature traditional stone architecture and preserved frescoes. Located along the main hiking trail and within the abandoned village of Samaria, these places of worship offer insight into the region's religious history and its connection to the ancient temples that preceded them.

Osia Maria

14th-century Byzantine chapel located in the abandoned village of Samaria. It contains preserved frescoes and is the namesake of the gorge, which is a contraction of 'Santa Maria'.

Agios Nikolaos

A stone chapel situated near the top of the gorge. It stands on the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo or Artemis and is surrounded by a grove of ancient cypress trees.

Panagia

Small stone chapel and ruins located near the abandoned settlement within the Samaria Gorge.

Agios Pavlos

A 10th-century cruciform Byzantine church located on the beach east of Agia Roumeli. It marks the traditional spot where Saint Paul is said to have landed during his journey to Rome.

Agia Triada

A traditional stone chapel located near the deserted village of Samaria along the main hiking path.

Profitis Elias

A small chapel situated on a high ridge overlooking the gorge, dedicated to the Prophet Elias.

Church Agios Nikolaos

13th-century Byzantine church featuring traditional stone masonry, located near the coastal paths of the Sfakia region.

Church of Archangel Michael

Byzantine-era chapel located in the vicinity of Loutro, known for its historic architecture and significance to the local mountain communities.