Agios Charalambos Church
The historic church of Agios Charalambos is located in the upper part of Krousonas (which is 21 km from Heraklion). The two-aisled church is honoured on the celebration of the name of Agios Charalambos and the Transfiguration of the Savior. Agios (Saint) Charalambos is the patron saint of the village and celebrates on February 10th.
The time of construction of the original aisle is placed in the late years of the Venetian occupation (around 1400). In a document of 1635, it is mentioned as the church of the "Lord Christ". The testimony that results from the application of the Metropolitan of Crete, Gerasimos, to the Turkish pasha, on March 15th, 1745, is also essential. With this application, "approval is requested for the repair of the church due to the damage it has suffered from bad weather."
While entering the inside of the church, the visitor can see the emblematic, full of vows, icon of Agios Charalambos. The two aisles are separated by a large arch. Next to the icon, there is a showcase with old church utensils and vestments.
In 1817, when the plague hit Crete, all the Turks died in Krousonas, while no Krousonas inhabitants suffered anything. Thus, Saint Charalambos passed into the people's consciousness as a warrior of the Turks and protector of Christians. This is the reason why one aisle of the church was dedicated to Agios Charalambos. In fact, the icons depict the saint trampling a woman in black, the personification of the plague.