map of Crete The village Houmeriakos (sometimes spelled "Choumeriakos" or "Houmeriako") lies a few kilometers southeast of the town Neapolis, and close to Limnes. Houmeriakos was once the capital and administrative center of the region (under the Turkish domination), but after the independence in 1912 Neapolis was chosen. After the Second World War Agios Nikolaos was elected to be the adminstrative center. In Houmeriakos there are a few nice churches, like the Profitis Ilias church situated above the village. You can also see the ruins of the former residence of the Turkish governor (they now want to restore it back in its original state). There are a few squares where there are more churches and there are a number of shops, taverns and kafenions. Still the village makes a very quiet impression, without too much traffic and noise of people. Only on the squares the people seem to get together to talk and drink a cup of coffee.

At the beginning of the village of Houmeriakos you see the big yellow church with its dome and towers, framed by tall cypress trees. Here and there the paint is peeled off. Going through the streets nest to the church you will see a monument that is completely surrounded by a blackberry bush. There is also a miniature church. The streets have the dilapidated houses next to the completely refurbished. In many places there are pots with flowers and we saw some happy singing birds in cages that were hung in front of a house. There are many churches in this village and an ancient source.

If you walk and follow the sign that you see on the side of the road (see photo below - white sign with a red arrow) you get to a nice old church, the Panagia Koumpelidiki (Our Lady of the domes) which dates from the 11th century.

The Byzantine church of Panagia Koumpelidiki in Houmeriakos

The church of the Virgin "Panagia Koumpelina" is a Byzantine monument located on the outskirts of the village Houmeriako. It is dedicated to the assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is the only surviving example in the east of Crete a "cross-in-a-square" dome church. Most of the church dates from the late 11th and early 12th century. During the Venetian occupation another piece was added on the west side. The church was still being restored in 2010. Remarkable architectural and decorative elements of the church are the dome, the saw-toothed strip under the roof tiles and the ornamentation above the door. Once the church was probably completely covered with frescoes, but unfortunately there is nothing left of this.