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Agia Barbara (Santa Barbara)

It is situated on the main road to Faestos and Tympaki, 30 km to the Southwest of Herakleion. The population is 2143. The houses of the village are built on the right and left of the main road. It is an agricultural area with many shops that sell agricultural products and machines. Santa Barbara, as well as the neighboring villages Panasos, Gergeri, Nyvritos, produce cherries of very good quality. The road, which is harsh, leads to Agious Deka ( ten Saints ). The new of the plain of Mesaras is enchanting.

The sights are:

• Apanosifis monastery, in honour St George. It was probably built during the Venetian domination (1600). It came by a large immovable property. The co - founders and the feudal lords made many donations. During the Turkish domination the monastery was the spiritual center. It was destroyed in the war of independence, but it was rebuilt. The main church was damaged by the earthquake of 1856. It was soon restored after the Sultans firman. Precious relics, mostly gospels, silver crosses and sacredotal vestments are kept there.
• The remnants of ancient Rizenia in the village of Prinias. Two archaic temples were revealed. The findings also include curved representations of human figures and animals. (They are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Herakleion).

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