One of the island’s most notable religious monuments and possibly the oldest extant building in Crete, the Church of the Archangel Michael at Episkopi will be open to visitors this summer. Following representations by the Municipality of Platanias and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania, a seasonal employee of the Archaeological Service will be on hand to allow access for the next few months. According to an announcement by the Municipality of Platanias, the building will be open for the next seven months from Monday through to Sunday (except Tuesdays), from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Known as the Rotonda because of its shape, the early Christian church of the Archangel Michael dates from the the 6th century and is built on sloping ground in the settlement of Lower Episkopi, 13.5 km south of Kolymbari. It is clearly signed on a turning shortly before the village of Episkopi and there is parking for a few cars outside the building.

The church is a centrally-planned rectangular building, constructed around a large dome which is stepped and tiled on the outside and curved on the inside. It has a mosaic floor which can be dated to the second half of the 6th century, when the whole complex was built. The design of the surviving fragments shows vines, ivy leaves, fish and geometric patterns within a frame of intersecting semi-circles.

Most notable are the partially preserved frescoes, which consist of four to five layers, painted between the 7th and the 14th centuries. They include representations of the Ascension, of St Matthew and St George from the earliest period, and some non-figurative designs from the period of iconoclasm. The latter were painted over in the 12th century and after with scenes from the Gospels and an image of the church’s titular saint, the Archangel Michael.

The guardian, Argyro Spinthouraki, can be contacted on 694 352 8229. If the church appears to be closed during visiting hours, visitors can phone her on this number; she speaks English.
(Haniotika Nea 22/04/23)