Άγιος Νικόλαος

 Greece > Crete > Chania Regional Unit > Chania Municipality

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The Church of St. Nicholas in Chania was built in 1320 as a monastery of the Order of the Dominicans. During the years of Turkish rule, in 1645, it was converted into the Hyugkar Tsamisi Mosque (the ruler’s mosque) - the central mosque of the city. The minaret at the southwestern corner of the church had two balconies. Part of the church was turned into barracks, and part was used for the daily prayers of Turkish soldiers. Here they held the sword of the Turkish dervishes, it was considered sacred. In 1918, the mosque was transformed into the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas.