Monofatsi

Between the villages Agia Varvara and Megali Vrysi, on a plateau full of vineyards, olive trees, almond trees and oaks we meet the church of St. John the Theologian. This point is located at 600 meters altitude, in the center of the island, and is of particular geological interest because it is the highest point in Crete where we meet marine fossils and shells. The church of St. John the Theologian, which still dominates the area, is surrounded by a large number of dilapidated buildings that are probably the remains of a medieval hamlet or monk cells.

The double aisled Church of the Holy Apostles and St Peter and Paul is located at the foot of Tholi Hill, with the homonym fort, and belonged to the Venetian family of Cornaro. It was built in the 15-16th century and still hosts two arcosoliums (tomb monuments) inside and outside the church (bearing the inscription 1614).

Here we meet the small church of St. Onesimus, the only one dedicated to St. Onesimus in Crete. Saint Onesimus was a slave of Phrygia who escaped from his master and went to Rome in order to meet the Apostle Paul. He is considered the patron saint of prisoners and judgers.

The church of Panagia at village Arkalohori is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin. While it seems a newer church, it is Byzantine and under the plaster covering its walls it probably hides exquisite frescoes. There are some parts with frescoes that have been revealed.

The cemeterial temple of St Nikolaos and St Charalambos at MIliarisi is very special because it is dikonchos (double-niche), a type that is rare. The type of dikonchos church differs from the two-aisled as there is a common roof for both aisles, without interference of wall between the aisles.

Near the villages Alagni, on a low hill, lies the deserted village of Rouma. We do not know when it was founded, but it is referred in the census of 1630. Rouma in the Cretan dialect means stream and is taken after the stream next to the village, where a spring with fresh water flows all year round.

The church of Panagia (Life Giving Fountain is located at position Prinias, near village Arhontiko at province Monofatsi. The church, very old and small, bears traces of frescoes dating back to the 14th century, while you can still see the embedded vessels used to improve acoustics (sound).

The funerary temple of Archangel Michael at Arkalohori is a cruciform temple with the main aisle being lower than its vertical aisle. Also there is a narthex with a dome. The church bears frescoes of the 13th century (the frescoes in the narthex date back from the 14th century).