The icon of Agios Nikolaos of Nea Alikarnassos

Refugees from Alikarnassos in Asia Minor arrived at Heraklion in Crete and founded the settlement of Nea Alikarnassos. There are two churches serving the needs of the community, Agios Nikolaos and Panagia Kamariani, built later. The church of Agios Nikolaos was founded by the refugees soon after their arrival and it was originally a wooden construction.

The icon of Panagia Kamariani from Alikarnassos

After the burning of Smyrna, the icon of Panagia Kamariani travelled from Asia Minor to Kalymnos with Marigitsa Takori, a refugee. Later, her children transported it to Athens where it was collected by a group of Nea Alikarnassos residents who took it to Heraklion.