The Toplou Monastery
Lonely and abandoned: this is how the Monastery looks like when
you come from Sitia or Vai along the plateau. The monastery got
it's name from the Turks (aint that funny?). In 17th century a
cannon was placed on the steeple by Turkish military. Cannon is
called "top" in Turkish.
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Toplou with ancient windmill |
The eventful history begins in the 15th century. There was
destruction and reconstruction, the facilities burned down
and were rebuilt again. In the Second World War, during the occupation
of Crete by the Germans, the English secret service operated
a radio communication system here.
Today there are 2 monks and
the abbott living in the monastery while in the past occasionally
over 20 monks were at home in the loneliness of the mountains.
Toplou is still one of the most important monasteries of Crete.
The icon school and the icon museum ranks among best in Greece.
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Toplou - A stauropegion
fortress |
Like a fortress
The Monastery is a stauropegion fortress. The main building
of 800 m² has three floors, which are divided into cells,
guest - houses, kitchens, the abbot' s residence and warehouses.
The katholicon is a two-aisled church; the northern aisle is
dedicated to the Virgin, and the southern posterior aisle, to
St John the Theologian. The monastery' s characteristic bell
tower bears relief crowns and crosses with inscriptions and
the date 1558. The 13th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities carried
out works of consolidation and restoration.
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Frescos in the refectory |
Toplou today
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Moni Toplou |
The monastery is the largest landowner of the region. Thus the
beach of Vai is part of the property of the monks. The abbot is
well known for his commitment for biological agriculture of his
property. He's very active in both clerical and economical business
and has lead the Agricultural Cooperative of Sitia to success
with the exploitation of class 'A' oil and wines.
Beginning in th early 80's one of the few fresco painters,
who are active in Greece, started to redecorate the refectory with new frescos.
The whole work was done by local painter Manolis Betinakis who used forgotten
Byzantine fresco techniques and hand-ground, natural pigments. His feat is
all the more remarkable since he has limited mobility and took years painting
the ceiling and walls suspended in his wheelchair or hoisted onto scaffolding
- a modern Michelangelo.
The area
is accessible after previous arrangement with the abbott of
the monastery.
Visit the monastery on the early morning.
Perhaps you have the chance to meet the abbott. It's worthwhile!
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