Holy Church of Saint Minas
At the entrance of Velventos, amid peach orchards, stands Saint Minas, the oldest Byzantine church of the settlement. Built atop an early Byzantine bath, the church features a wooden roof and hayati (covered porch), exuding a sense of tranquility and historical significance. The monument’s long-standing course is divided in its two construction phases, which are likely linked to its destruction during the period of Ottoman rule. The apse and the eastern wall date to the 12th–13th century, while the western and southern walls were constructed during the 15th century. The same historical journey is narrated by the admirable frescoes of two phases that you can admire during your visit. To this day, Saint Minas remains one of the most charming monuments of Velventos — a silent guardian of history, worthy of discovery and exploration.
