Vasilies: Cave Church and Cretan Festivals

Get to know Vasilies through a special cultural site and two dates that recur each year. On the edge of the village is a cave church, alongside traditional celebrations in January and June. These different occasions give you a concrete starting point for planning your trip: would you rather plan your stay around a festival date, or is visiting the local cultural site your main priority?

A cave church on Mount Juktas

On the outskirts of Vassilies, on the northern foothills of Mount Juktas, is the cave church of Saint Anthony. It takes the form of a catacomb and is considered worth visiting. Its location on the edge of the settlement and its cave-like form make it a destination in its own right for anyone wishing to include religious and cultural sites in their trip. Vasilies is therefore about more than a festival calendar: the church also offers a concrete reason to explore the area.

Two festivals at different times of year

The Vassilies cultural association holds a two-day festival every year on the eve of and on January 17, the feast day of its patron saint, Saint Anthony. On June 24, the same association holds the traditional Klidonas festival each year. The two dates are well spaced apart, marking different points in the travel year. If your travel plans are flexible, you can consider whether the two-day Saint Anthony festival in January or the Klidonas festival on June 24 is more important to you. Both celebrations are recurring traditions; the calendar can help you narrow down your preferred dates without limiting local experiences to a single season.

This distinction can also help when choosing a holiday apartment: first decide whether you want to plan your stay around one of the festival dates or discover Vasilies independently of them. The cave church and the two annual celebrations appeal to different interests—a religious cultural site on the one hand, and community-organised traditions on the other. When searching for a holiday apartment, you can focus on the experiences that suit your travel profile.

Heraklion: museums and architectural history

The wider destination of Heraklion offers further cultural themes. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum displays evidence of Crete’s prehistory, early history and history, from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical Museum of Crete houses two paintings by El Greco, dating from 1569 and 1570; they are the artist’s only works on Crete. A dedicated collection at the museum focuses on personal belongings and manuscripts of the Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis.

Heraklion’s architectural history also offers several distinct points of interest. The Loggia is a Venetian building dating from the 16th century. The Basilica of Agia Ekaterini was built in 1555 and was home in the 16th and 17th centuries to a renowned school for Renaissance painters and writers. The Cathedral of Agios Minas is dedicated to Heraklion’s patron saint and is one of the largest churches in Greece. At the old harbour, the Koules Fortress was built by the Venetians to protect the pier and harbour. These examples highlight a range of themes, from religious buildings to the history of the harbour.

More ways to enjoy a cultural stay include the municipal art gallery in the Basilica of San Marco and the Vikelaia Municipal Library. San Marco hosts art exhibitions and exhibitions of handicrafts; its programme may change. Vikelaia organises and supports scientific and artistic activities, conducts research and promotes local history using historical archives. If you would like to experience culture beyond exhibition spaces, you can walk along Heraklion’s city walls and enjoy the views over the city. Before visiting, check the current access conditions for the walls and the relevant exhibition programme.

Rural Heraklion and nature experiences

The rural area of the Municipality of Heraklion offers a different perspective on the wider destination. Villages preserve features of Cretan architecture and their own distinct historical heritage. Vineyards and olive groves are part of the landscape. Routes in the municipality are suitable for hiking, cycling and driving; there are also opportunities for climbing and caving, as well as forest trails. Urban collections and buildings are therefore complemented by a varied rural landscape—two different themes to weigh up when planning your holiday apartment and itinerary.

Food and natural history add to the options. In the rural area of the Municipality of Heraklion, traditional eateries serve dishes made with fresh local produce. The Natural History Museum of Crete features the Enceladus earthquake simulator and offers interactive exhibitions and games for children and adults. These specific interests can help you decide whether to focus your stay more on culture, landscape or shared discoveries. For exhibitions and museum offerings, it is advisable to check the current programme.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pitsidia, Anissaras, Agios Sillas, Kamilari, Mesi, Kato Symi, Nea Alikarnassos and Sarchos.

Back to the main travel guide: Heraklion.