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TOPLOU MONASTERY

Abbey – Monastery – Convent
4/5
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Vaï, Greece
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2024
Recommended
2024

The most important collection of weapons of all Crete in a rich and powerful monastery of Vai.

The monastery of Toplou or Akrotiriani, built like a fortress, can be visited and offers to the curious eyes superb icons as well as frescos of which some date from the XIVth century. Its name Toplou is of Turkish origin and means "armed with a cannon". It was rebuilt in the 15th century, under the Venetian occupation, on the ruins of an ancient temple or monastery. The cells are built on three floors while the small two-aisle church is dedicated to the Virgin and St. John the Theologian. Lovers of icons and Byzantine art will not want to miss it. One can admire, among others, the icons of the altarpiece dating from the eighteenth century. A rich and powerful monastery, Toplou has amassed treasures that are now presented to the public. Another more original feature, it is in Toplou that you will see the most important collection of weapons of all Crete, from the struggle for independence in 1821 to the Second World War. The explanation is that this monastery has a tradition of resistance and has, on several occasions, sheltered partisans. The monks of Toplou produce in their spare time one of the best olive oils (organic) of Crete, as well as a very good wine and raki. You can also take a look at the cellar in a building near the monastery. Finally, the tiny bar-snack of the monastery located at the entrance serves as a specialty an excellent wild asparagus omelet (harvested in season and then frozen). Don't miss the chance to try it!

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4/5
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The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.

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PAPACOQ
Visited in october 2019
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Un monastère de plus...mais facile d'accès et avec une belle vue sur la campagne.
Céline52
Visited in june 2019
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Un détour qui vaut le coup !
Sur la route de la plage de Vaï, il ne faut pas hésiter à faire une halte au Monastère de Toplou. Le bâtiment est joli et bien conservé, appellant au recueillement. Un petit musée de l'histoire des lieux est ouvert. Ne pas oublier de profiter des paysages arides alentours qui sont une autre facette de l'île.
Friendly place with a museum inside and overlooking the arid land. You feel really Cretan culture with sheep on the road. Moreover if you go to see the palmeraie take just an hour for this place is on your way.

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