Preveli Monastery Crete

The Preveli Monastery is one of the most visited and revered in Crete. It is located west of the mouth of the Kourtaliotis River south of the picturesque town of Rethymno, just above the exotic Preveli beach.

In truth there are two monasteries one is called Kato Moni the lower monastery founded between the 10th and 11th centuries now reduced to ruins and currently fenced therefore 'impossible to see and that to reach, you have to cross a majestic bridge built in 1850 that crosses the Mega Potamos river in the Ottoman architectural style desired by the monks of the Monastery. In the classic Orthodox style it had the central church dedicated to John the Baptist and the monks' cells in the rectangular courtyard. The other, however, almost two kilometers away above the rocky mountain, is called Piso Moni, the upper monastery (literally behind) inhabited by monks and can be visited today.

Founded in the sixteenth century, given its elevated position it offers a wonderful view of the sea and the surrounding area. Built in the shape of Pi Greco, at its center is the main church with two naves dedicated for one part to St. John Theologian (celebrated on May 8) and for one part to the Annunciation. In the courtyard there is also the dining room, the cellars and the reception for visitors. Adjacent to the dining room are the monks' cells with the exit right at the foot of the mountains, perfect for escaping during times of war. A fountain with an inscription from 1701 is still used to supply fresh water.

In the Monastery are preserved the icons of San Giovanni and San Charalambos as well as precious frescoes with biblical figures of the sixteenth century works by artists belonging to the prestigious Cretan School of Art.

During the first revolution in Crete in 1821 a prominent figure was' Abbot Melchizedek Tsouderos who was part of the Filiki Eteria a secret society, taking part in bloody battles in the name of freedom and then dying in 1823. In truth, almost all the monasteries of Crete used to give refuge to the rebels, even sacrificing their own lives, so much so that their role was very important in the history of the island. Later in 1867 the Turks attacked the Monastery and destroyed it but in 1897 the reconstruction started again.

The Monastery's Miraculous Holy Cross is made with a fragment of the true cross of Jesus' Christ. The story tells that it fell into the hands of the Turks who sold it to Genoese pirates who when they approached the river to embark on the return journey the ship suddenly stopped and for three days they were unable to move it. So they understood that perhaps it was a divine sign and decided to return the cross to the monks.

During the German occupation, the Monastery gave asylum to about 5000 soldiers of the allied forces until they were rescued by some submarines that took them to Africa. In 1941 the Germans demolished the Monastery, imprisoning many monks in Chania and stealing the Holy Cross to take it to Germany but, even in this case, the plane that was to transport it was unable to take off and therefore even the Germans understood that it had to stay where it was. was giving it back.

The Preveli Monastery returned to be populated by religious in 1943.

Many of the sacred relics and icons were looted during the wars, but those that were saved are now kept in a collection in the Ecclesiastical Museum inside the abbey together with religious clothes, and a cross depicting the Baptism of Jesus used as a banner during the wars.

It is possible to visit it in summer every day from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 15.30 to 19.00 at a cost of € 2 per person.

You have to get to Plakias in southern Crete. From here, cross the Kurtaliokito gorge towards Asomatos. After the village turn left and after about a couple of kilometers turn left again and you will arrive at the bridge. Cross it and the road will begin to go around the ruins of Kato Moni. Keep going up and past a monument dedicated to the monks of the Monastery who died during the Second World War, after a few curves you will find the Monastery in all its splendor.