The Agios Titos Church is a stunning little church located on a side street in the main shopping area. Greek orthodox churches always seem to have a magnetic pull that draws me inside. Though simple and modest on the outside, once you step inside, you're greeted with the full glory of the splendid artwork. A picture of my son lighting a few candles in remembrance of our departed loved ones captures the serene atmosphere perfectly.
This church has an interesting history, having once been a mosque and now converted into a Christian Orthodox church. Inside, you can find multiple paintings and tributes to the saints. One particularly important relic is the head of Titus, the first bishop of Crete, to whom St. Paul wrote a letter.
The location of the church is lovely, and it's just a short walk from the central park. You can easily walk in, donate to the church, and light a candle while admiring the beautiful structure. It's a great place to find solace and tranquility away from the busy city.
During our visit, we were amazed by the beauty of this church in the heart of Heraklion. The presence of Saint Titus' skull within its walls adds a sense of calm and relaxation. The stained glass windows truly come to life at night, illuminating the interior with a warm and enchanting glow.
Our hotel concierge recommended a visit to Agios Titos Church, so we decided to stop by during a rainy day. Inside, you can purchase candles and admire the paintings. We were fascinated by the presence of the saint's skull. Despite our brief visit, we spent about 15 minutes taking in the atmosphere.
The church offers a beautiful and calming atmosphere, especially after walking the bustling streets of Heraklion. It's worth taking your time to appreciate every detail in the church's interior, from the intricate icons to the magnificent candleabrum on the ceiling. The colorful mosaic glasses on the windows create a stunning reflection on the walls.
This Greek orthodox church has a fascinating history intertwined with the island's past. It is dedicated to a local saint who played a crucial role in spreading Christianity to Crete and was a member of a famous old Cretan family.
Visiting the Agios Titos Church is an incredible experience. It's a place for contemplation, prayer, and appreciation of the beautiful paintings and sculptures. It is undoubtedly one of the best places in Greece to witness the presence of St. Titus, with his head held within the church.
Address:
Platia Agiou Titou, Iraklio
Phone:
+30 281 034 6221
09.09.24
Julie
Beautiful cathedral in a lovely square, a nice cafe with outside seating is a nice place to sit, chill and admire the surroundings. At night when it is lit up it looks more stunning.
18.06.24
George
Saint Titos at night. A well preserved Christian Orthodox cathedral worth visiting. Entrance is free. The long story short is good to know when you visit. Also another tip for you when you visit are the windows. Beautiful colourful windows worth chec.. Read more »king out.
06.06.24
Maria
Beautiful church in the center of Heraklion. Has upstairs sitting area too. Deserves a visit. Entrance is free. There is a service every Sunday.
26.05.24
dio
Rating: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Attraction: 4/5
Entertainment: 3/5
Time: 3/5
Type of entertainment: introverted
Short:
- it is free to enter, you can’t beat free.
- the church is beautiful with making wood work, candles, decorations, stained glass an.. Read more »d paintings.
- just a church beautiful not super entertaining, however very beautiful.
- there isn’t much that happened there when I was there, so no more than 10 mins for me. It’s just a church that is very pretty.
Details: there is a gift shop.
I would recommend going to the church of agios minas over this church as it is a lot more beautiful, and it’s only 10 mins away.
26.02.24
Tyrone
Probably the oldest church in Heraklion, the initial building was erected in the 10th century after the reconquest of Crete by the Byzantine General Nikiforos Fokas in 961 AD. The church was destroyed twice by earthquake and once by fire in the 14th .. Read more »and 15th century. It was rebuilt without any architectural changes and lived on as the main Catholic Church in Heraklion. Prominent locals were buried in the churchyard during the Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish period.
As soon as the town fell to the Turks, the church was converted into a mosque. After the last destruction by the 1856 earthquake, the church was rebuilt from scratch by the architect K. Mousi as it stands today. It was concluded in 1872, a building of neoclassical nature with intense eclecticism and many oriental features as it was initially intended to be a mosque.
Titus was St. Paul’s disciple, the first bishop on Crete and guardian of the island. Titus’ skull was given back by the Venetians and is kept in a small chapel to the north of the nave kept in a mitre.
29.07.23
James
Such a beautiful little church, tucked of a side street in the main shopping area.., there is something about greek orthodox churches that keep pulling me inside them.. simple & modest on the outside, but once inside the full glory of the artwork.. Read more » is splendid... pic is on my son, lighting a few candels of our beloved ones that have departed this world.
22.05.23
Ann
Once a mosque now a Christian Orthodox church. Multiple paintings and tributes to the saints.
11.05.23
Pascal
Nice orthodox church which used to be a mosque.
It contains an important relic: the head of Titus, the first bishop of Crete and the one St. Paul writes a letter to.
01.05.23
Susanna
Lovely location where you can walk in, donate to the church to light a candle and see a beautiful structure. Very short walk form the central park.
31.03.23
Fábio
Beautiful church in the heart of Heraklion Saint Titus skull is held here! It is so calming and relaxing going in for a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city! We also passed by at night and this is when the stained glass window.. Read more »s come to life with all the light from inside the church! Beautiful!!!
10.10.22
Trina
We were recommended to visit this place by our hotel concierge, so we stopped by briefly to find respite from the rain. Inside you can buy candles and look at the paintings. There’s also the skull of the saint stored. We spent about 15 minutes .. Read more »here.
16.09.22
Akaki
It's a beautiful church with very calming atmosphere, especially if you go right after walking on busy streets of Heraklion. Do not rush it, take time to look on every detail there is in the church, since interior is very beautiful, there are ic.. Read more »ons, big candleabrum on ceeling and colorful mosaic glasses on the windows that give off beautiful reflection on the wall
19.06.22
Miša
Greek orthodox church with very interesting history connected to the history of the island. Dedicated to a local saint who helped spreading the Christianity to Crete, and who was also a member of famous old Cretan family
30.05.22
Michał
An incredible place. A place to contemplate and pray. Also, beautiful paintings and sculptures.
04.05.22
P101B06
One of the best places in Greece, where you can see St. Titos head.
09.03.22
jean
So beautiful and silence Church... wonderful icônes
16.09.21
Manos
Very beautiful big church at the middle of city center ,there are a big square in the front and smaller at the back which is beautiful with trees around.The church is one of the biggest at Heraleion with beautiful painting inside.the feeling inside i.. Read more »s one off a kind . beautiful place.
12.09.21
Artūrs
The plaque next to the church describes that skull of priest Titos's is displayed inside. Went inside, but found no skull.
01.09.21
Tia
Beautiful church. I attended during mass, very special ceremony. You feel that you can understand the culture on a deeper level.
I felt welcomed, enjoyed the experience.
31.08.21
Manos
Very beautiful big church at the middle of city center ,there are a big square in the front and smaller at the back which is beautiful with trees around.The church is one of the biggest at Heraleion with beautiful painting inside.the filling inside i.. Read more »s one off a kind . beautiful place.
11.07.21
Olivier
Very nice Orthodox church with a rich history
11.07.21
Erik
Beautiful church. We had a chat with the manager, and he could tell a lot about the church, its history and the rituals.
26.06.21
Bartosz
One of the main historical places to see in Heraklion. The oldest church in the area (Xth ce)
14.05.21
Chris
I am a fan of orthodox churches, the ikons, decorations and the such. This church was one a mosque, the Mihrab and fountain niches can still be seen in the walls, although the main Mihrab has since been painted to resemble that of a byzantine apse.
.. Read more »The stained glass windows are a genuine treat... Pro tip: go in the evening when the sun nears the horizon and watch as coloured dapples of light hit the church in various places, playing with the buffed silver and gold of the ikons.
Moreover, the skull of St Titus himself is kept in a special Chapel on the left of the church upon entering. So a holy place indeed.
Take the time to meander through the ikons, admire the paintings, ex votos, and religious atmospheres that pervade the dappled coloured hall.
Sit and reflect and absorb. It is a beautiful beautiful space.
26.08.20
Anita
Nice church for a short visit. There is a cosy yard behind it.
20.08.20
Ayinde
This church was amazing and beautiful! We got to experience a baptism and learned a lot about the history. We truly recommend visiting this place!
06.08.20
Julius
Really impressive church, both from inside and outside
17.05.20
anna
A beautiful church, worth a visit
11.01.20
Alexandra
Beautiful church, with some lovely stained glass windows. Have been inside only once during a baptism, but it seemed quite impressive.
03.01.20
Joat
Beautiful church and larger than many. Saint Titus was a disciple of Saint Paul and the 1st church was built here ~961 CE. During Turkish rule it was a mosque called Vezir Mosque. Worth a visit.
28.09.19
Mina
One of the most blessed historical churches I've ever visited, this place is like heaven on earth