The historical village of Meronas overlooks the Amari valley with a view towards Psiloreitis. Its name is mentioned in Venetian documents of 1300 and it enjoyed prosperity in the succeeding century, which the nobleman Alexis Kallergis settled there. During the period of Venetian rule on Crete, many small churches were built in the village and in the surrounding area, the best-known of which is the Virgin of Meronas (14th century).
A short distance from the village, in the area of Sochora, stands a church dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin (Genesion tis Theotokou) and Saints Constantine and Helen, known as ‘Panagia Mavridiani’. The old cemetery of Meronas was located here. The church is of singular architecture and two-aisled. The south aisle is dated to the thirteenth century and preserves wall-paintings of the same period. The north aisle was added in the sixteenth century and is dedicated to the Saints Constantine and Helen.
The main church of Meronas is dedicated to Saint Panteleemon and Saint Charalambos. Two-aisled and with vaulted roof, it was founded in 1862. Its impressive belfry, which was built by local masons in 1908, dominates the village. The Parish of Meronas, with priest Manolis Vamiedakis (1949-2023) set as goal the protection and enhancement of the historical churches in the area, which it achieved through donations and state grants.
