Kirchen & Klöster

Preveli Monastery

Agios Vasileios, Rethymno · Free

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

About

A historic monastery above the Libyan Sea.

The monastery of Preveli lies on a hill above the Libyan Sea, about 35 km south of Rethymno. It actually consists of two parts: the lower monastery of Agios Ioannis, now abandoned, near the Kourtaliotis river, and the upper, active monastery, dedicated to Saint John the Theologian, founded probably in the 16th century.

Preveli played a heroic role in Cretan history. During the revolts against the Ottomans, the monks supported the rebels, and the monastery was burned several times. In 1941, after the Battle of Crete, the monks and villagers hid hundreds of Allied soldiers and helped them escape by submarine to Egypt. A memorial with a monk and a soldier holding guns stands on the road near the monastery.

The monastery has a museum with icons, vestments and a precious cross said to work miracles. From the terrace there's a beautiful view over the sea. Combine the visit with the palm beach of Preveli below.

Around Agios Vasileios

Nearest town: Plakias, about 9 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 65 km by road

Rethymno sits between the mountains and two seas, and it is the easiest region to combine with the rest of the island. Its old town and Fortezza are among the best preserved on Crete, with Venetian doorways, Ottoman wooden balconies and a long sandy beach right next to the centre. More about Rethymno