The Toplou monastery Crete

The Toplou monastery is another great opportunity for a moment of culture and an interesting alternative to a day under an umbrella. It is located on a hill of the Cape Sidero Peninsula in the province of Sitia east of the prefecture of Lassithi. Six kilometers from the village of Palekastro and about eighty five kilometers from the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos.

Considered one of the wealthiest monasteries on the  Crete island, today it collects an important exhibition of Byzantine icons, documents, books, artifacts and ancient engravings that testify the influences of Crete over time. Built in the 15th century in a strategic position that allowed a perfect view of the surroundings above the ruins of a previous place of worship, today you can see the main church called Katolikon where events such as the one on September 8 dedicated to the Nativity are still celebrated. of Our Lady and that of 26 September dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologs in which many pilgrims from all over the island participate.

Right in front of the Monastery the winery owned by the monks that offers a tasting of the production of oil, wine and raki (similar to grappa) barricaded very popular also abroad.

Built over an ancient convent in the 15th century, in 1530 it was sacked by the Knights of Malta and in 1612 it suffered a very strong earthquake with serious damage. During the period of Venetian domination, it was rebuilt and fortified with ten meters high bastions and had the maximum of its splendor. In 1646 the Ottomans arrived who took possession of it and then abandoned it for a long time. In 1704 the Patriarch gave it protection privileges and it began to be inhabited by the monks again. In the period of the Greek revolution of 1821 many rebels found shelter at the Monastery of Toplou and the Turks in retaliation, hanged 14 monks on the main door as a warning to the fact that they had given help to the rioters. During the Second World War it was still used by the Cretan resistance against the Germans, where the abbot Skyllingakis allowed the installation of a transmitter with which contacts were maintained with the headquarters located in the Middle East by an English officer hidden in the monastery. . When the Germans discovered the abbey's espionage duties, they killed the abbot and the monks.

Surrounded by mighty square fortified walls, with ramparts 10 meters high and a powerful cannon, it extends for 800 square meters. Access is from a massive door on the west side where above there is the "killer hole" an opening from which hot oil was thrown during the attacks by the conquerors. It develops over three floors divided into monks' cells, kitchens and warehouses. The main church has two naves with a Venetian period bell tower dating back to 1558.

The beautiful Katolikon (the church) features 14th century frescoed vaults with scenes from the Gospel, a gallery with vestments, Byzantine icons and the famous painting called "Great the Lord" dated 1770 with sixty-one scenes from the Orthodox liturgy by the painter Ioannis Kornaors. one of the most representative works with very ancient roots of Sacred Art. A beautiful icon of the Madonna which, according to rumors, was found in a cave near the Monastery.

And still the museum caves with a wonderful collection of texts in Latin and Ancient Greek, cartographies, miniatures and war finds from various eras. The Museum is open every day at a cost of € 4 per person. It is forbidden to take photos inside the church and museum.

Its stone-paved inner courtyards are adorned with colorful bougainvillea, well-tended plants and feature traditional arches. In front of the Monastery an ancient windmill.

The real name of the Monastery was Moni 'Panagia Akrotirianì translated Monastery of the Madonna del Promontorio, but it was changed during the Ottoman period to Toplou Monastir which in Turkish means monastery of cannons because it is considered one of the best built fortifications in Crete.

Better to have your own vehicle and head north east until you reach the Palekastro village, at the crossroads turn right and after about five kilometers you will arrive at the Monastery suspended between the green hills and the sky.

A beautiful experience in a mystical and ancient atmosphere through wonderful landscapes. To do if you have the opportunity and time.