Moni Toplou

The monastery Toplou, Greek Μονή Τοπλού, Toplou, lies in the east of the island of Crete, just 20 km from Sitia. It was founded probably in the 14th century.

The name derives from the Turkish Toplou " Toplu " and means something like " a building that has a gun " or " Neat "

During the tumultuous history of the monastery was destroyed several times and rebuilt. Today the monastery is called reconstructed consuming and presents the many visitors it is a gem. Long ago, the monks of the monastery were self catering, a restored old windmill in the outer courtyard bears witness.

Famous the monastery is known for its Museum of Icons in which the large icon Megas ei Kyrie ( " Exalted are You, O Lord " ), a work of the then 25 -year-old painter Joannis Kornaros from 1770 is preserved. These large icon is one of the important sacred works of art of the Orthodox Greek Church and brings numerous art lovers today the monastery.

In the 1980s, the abbot of the monastery could win one of the few fresco painters, who are still active in Greece, for the monastery. The confined to a wheelchair Manolis Betinakis made ​​until 1997, various frescoes depicting the Acts of the Apostles, marked in bold colors and of the highest craftsmanship. The room with the fresco is only available by prior arrangement.

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