HERAKLEION Bedenaki - 2008

Herakleion. In the area of Bedenaki, between the sea wall and Sophokles Venizelos Street, in the course of works by the Herakleion Port Authority at Herakleion harbour, a building complex was discovered with dual, defensive and religious, functions. This was originally a probable defensive tower which was transformed into a church in LByz times with the addition of an apse. Due to the density of burials in the floor of the church (12 to date) and the 2 arcosolia in the N wall, it is likely that this was a burial chapel, a view strengthened by a section of wall-painting with a depiction of the Second Coming. In the apse of the shrine were preserved in situ parts of the procession of officiating dignitaries or priests, and to the W, part of a palm-bearer. The discovery of the wallpaintings is significant as this is the 2nd ensemble in a town church, alongside those in the church of Ag. Petros of the Dominicans. The limits of the building complex have not yet been uncovered on the N, W and S sides. The 1567 map of Domenico Rosse da Este places the ruined Church of St Catarina E of Ag. Petros, towards the sea wall; it no longer appears on a map of 1570.