Saint Anthony church at Ano Asites
The cavernous church of St. Anthony (Agios Antonios), maybe a former monastery, is located above the starting point of the gorge of Kato Asites, at a beautiful green location with plane trees and springs. A spring with fresh water flows from the wall of the church. The temple is very special because it is dikonchos (double-niche), a type that is rare.
The type of dikonchos church differs from the typical two-aisled as there is a common roof for both aisles, without the interference of wall between the aisles. The dikonchos temple has its roots in the twin pagan sanctuaries of ancient times and especially the worship of Dioscuri. It is also connected to funerary purposes. The temples of the dikonchos type are usually built on the banks of rivers and streams with water, like here. It is believed that this had to do with the belief that water is the barrier that prevents the dead pass into the world of living people.
The second aisle of the church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This niche bears the family crest of the Venetian family Falieri.
