Neapoli
Neapoli, the historic seat of the Municipality, is located in the northwestern part of the Prefecture of Lassithi, the so-called Ano Mirabello, and is about 15 minutes away from the town of Agios Nikolaos. It is the seat of the Holy Metropolis of Petra and Cherronisos, as well as the seat of judicial services, and is filled with old mansions, scenic alleys, and well preserved ottoman fountains.
The main square with the municipal garden and the church of Megali Panagia complements the area’s grandeur and serenity. The Folk Art Museum of Neapoli is located right next to the church of Megali Panagia. It was established in 1979 and its exhibits offer visitors the opportunity to have a comprehensive view of life in Mirabello. The surrounding area is filled with monasteries and churches. The Franciscan Monastery of Fraro, as well as the archaeological site of Driros are significant historical monuments.
Moreover, the area is known for the wealth of events organized annually. Many celebratory, cultural, and athletic events take place in the main square, and the greatest one of all is the one held on the 14th and the 15th of August.
Usefull information
20′ from Agios Nikolaos
25′ from Elounda
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Culture
Folklore Museum of Neapoli
The museum is housed in the old Secondary School of Neapoli, a historic building of 1870. It was founded in 1979 by donations and its exhibits include icons, woodcarvings, household utensils, etc. allowing the visitor to form a complete picture of the life of Mirabello from the 19th century and beyond.
Address: 1 El. Venizelou square, Neapoli
Opening hours: Summer, daily 10.00-13.00 & 18.00-21.00
Winter, must book in advance
Culture
Archaeological Collection of Neapoli
Τhe Archaeological Collection of Neapoli was created before World War II and within two years included around 1000 items, found mostly in the area of Mirabello and in other sites of the Prefecture. During the Italian rule, thanks to the efforts of Emm. Mavroeidis (then ektaktos curator of Antiquities) the Collection was protected in the underground of the Club. Today it is housed in a building ceded to the Ministry of Culture by the Ministry of Health and the Municipality.
Address: 1 El. Venizelou square, Neapoli
Opening hours: 9.00-16.00
Religious Monuments
Metropolitan Church of Megali Panagia
The metropolitan church of Megali Panagia, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, stands majestically at the northern end of the main square of Neapoli. The church was erected at the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century, and its construction lasted for a very long time, due to the economic difficulties of the time. It started in 1889, but the church was inaugurated in 1927. The cruciform shaped church has a dome, and its lower part is made of carved stonework made of gray local marble, much like all its openings. His wood-carved iconostasis and hagiographies were created between 1962 and 1965.
Monastery of Fraro
The Catholic Monastery of the Order of the Franciscan monks, of which half of its abandoned katholikon is still preserved, is dedicated to Agios Antonios. Its founding dates back to the second half of the 14th century, when monk Petros Filagris, who later became Pope Alexander the 5th, lived.
Church of Metamorphosis of the Savior (Church of the Transfiguration)
The two-aisled church is located in the cemetery of Neapoli and is dedicated to the Metamorphosis of the Savior and Agioi Pantes. Originally, the church was three-aisled, but today the southern aisle is destroyed. The frescoes date back to the end of the 13th and early 14th century, with the most significant depiction being the nursing of the Virgin Mary from Agia Anna.
