Collection of Agia Aikaterini of Sinai, Orthodox religious museum in Heraklion, Greece
The Collection of Agia Aikaterini is a religious museum in Heraklion housed within a former monastic complex building. The display features Byzantine icons, ecclesiastical books, ancient manuscripts, and carved wooden pieces that stem primarily from the Orthodox Christian tradition.
The building was constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries as a Venetian monastery and received Renaissance renovations in 1576. During Ottoman rule, it was repurposed as a mosque.
The site takes its name from Saint Catherine and retains the sacred presence of a place where the faithful gathered to worship across many centuries. The rooms speak of times when monks lived and taught here, and this history remains visible in the walls and religious images.
The museum sits centrally at Saint Catherine Square and is easy to reach on foot from surrounding streets. Opening hours vary by season, so checking ahead of your visit is helpful.
The museum houses an extensive collection of works by Michael Damaskenos, considered one of the major figures in Byzantine icon painting. His pieces display religious figures such as Christ Pantocrator and the Virgin Hodegetria in a distinctive style that reflects the transition period between Byzantine and Renaissance traditions.
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