<The churches of Psychro on the island of Crete
Just to the west of the village of Schinokapsala towards the village of Agios Ioannis are the churches of Psychro. The first church, the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos of Psychro, is on the left side of the road when you drive towards Agios Ioannis. There is a sign along the road that indicates the church and you can walk up to the church via a path and some steps. You reach the church after a five or ten minute walk.
The church of Psychro stands in the middle of a pine forest and was apparently surrounded by a wall in the past. You reach the site through a gate. The small and simple church dates from the 17th century and is Venetian. The white-painted interior is not really very special. There are a few icons inside the church, but it is the soothing environment that makes the church special. There are benches and you can sit back and relax. From time to time the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos of Psychro has been somewhat restored and in all probability it was rebuilt in the 19th century.
A little further on, according to a sign on the right, is the church of Saint George or Psychro. It is there, but we have not found it. This Venetian church also dates from the 17th century and it stands near the sources of Psychro, from which cities like Ierapetra receive their water. There are large plane trees and pine trees and water flows down a stream. There are water mills in the area where grain was ground.