Toplou Monastery

The Toplou Monastery or Monastery of Panagia Akrotiriani is a 14th-century Greek Orthodox church that also comprises a museum. It is situated at the northeastern tip of Crete, Greece. It almost resembles a fortress, with a belfry, a 10m high wall and 40 rooms across 3 floors, and is one of the oldest and most beautiful monasteries in Crete. The museum here is well-known for housing a multitude of icons made by its monks as well as other religious items.

These icons at the museum which represent the daily lives of monks and the development of the Constantinople School of Art, include Deliverer from Poison, Unwithering Rose, works by the painted Ioannis Kornaros and more. Some of the other precious historical items displayed here are Patriarchal Sigils, seals, vestments, Gospels, revolutionary banners, Crosses, Bibles, decrees issued by Sultans, etc. Part of the monastery premises is a library featuring rare books, a courtyard with a sculpture by Manolis Tzobanakis and a dining room with wall paintings by Manolis Betinakis. There are vineyards and olive tree plantations here as well where the monks prepare wine, olive oil and raki to be sold.