Church of St. Nicholas

The church of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) at Kyriakosellia, in the Apokoronas region of Crete, is one of the island’s most important examples of Byzantine architecture. Dating from the 11th century, the original structure was cruciform, with the main aisle running east to west and noticeably larger than the transverse one, giving the interior a rectangular feel. It was probably first dedicated to Saint Nicholas the Studite and Confessor (born in Chania, 792-868), though the murals depict the life of Saint Nicholas of Myra. During the 20th century, the western wall was demolished and an extension added. The church features double-lobed windows with a central column and two openings, while the sanctuary window is trilobed. A long circular dome, added during the early Venetian period, sits over the crossing.