Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Halepa

The church of Saint Maria Magdalene is located in Chalepa, an aristocratic neighborhood of Chania.

This aristocratic neighborhood of Chania prospered throughout the 19τη century, during which time its resident, Eleftherios Venizelos, became the most significant figure in modern Greek history.

The “Eleftherios Venizelos” Research Foundation, Eleftherios Venizelos’ home, and the small palace of Prince George are all located on Elena Venizelou Square, where the church is situated.

The Grand Duke of Russia, George, sponsored the church’s construction in 1901 with 10,000 rubles in remembrance of his sister Maria, who lived in Chania and was married to Prince George, the ruler of Crete. It served as Prince George’s official temple when it was dedicated on January 6, 1903, in front of Olga, the Queen of Greece. Following the departure of Prince George from Crete in 1909, the church was taken over by the Municipality of Chania.

Russian architects who adhered to the norms of the Russian Orthodox churches submitted the designs. The church features two stories of sloping roofs that rise to a Russian-style dome.