Church of Agia Ekaterini of Sinai (icon museum)

The Church of Agia Ekaterini of Sinai stands on Plateia Agias Aikaterinis in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, immediately beside the large Cathedral of Agios Minas. The small 16th-century church once belonged to the monastery of St Catherine of Sinai and served as a centre of learning in Venetian Crete, where students studied theology, philosophy and painting. It is now a museum of post-Byzantine icons, and its main draw is a group of works by Michael Damaskinos, the leading Cretan painter of the 16th century, who is thought to have taught the young El Greco. The icons show the Cretan School's blend of Byzantine tradition with Italian Renaissance influence, with rich gold backgrounds, fine detail and more naturalistic figures than earlier Byzantine painting. Other works by painters such as Georgios Klontzas and Emmanuel Tzanes are displayed in the single nave, so visitors can compare styles in a compact space. The collection is small, and a visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Opening hours are irregular, so visitors should confirm locally before relying on a visit. The church sits on the same paved square as the cathedral, about five minutes west of Lions Square, so it is easy to combine with the cathedral and a walk through the old town. It is rarely crowded, and a quiet visit is likely at any time of year, with the best chance of finding it open in the morning. Photography rules inside vary, and flash is normally not allowed. Modest dress is advisable even though it is a museum, since the building is a former church.