Μουσείο Ιεράς Μονής Τοπλού

About the museum

The Holy Monastery of Toplou, also known as Panagia Akrotiriani, was probably founded at the end of the 14th century at the eastern tip of Crete. After pirate raids at the end of the 15th century it was rebuilt in the form of a fortress. The earthquake of 1612 caused serious damage, and the restoration was carried out with the support of Venice. The monastery flourished in the 17th century. In 1646, after the Ottoman conquest of Sitia, it took the name Toplou, and in 1704 it was declared stavropegic.

The monastery’s museum is housed in two ground-floor rooms next to the church and presents icons, manuscripts, early printed books, liturgical vessels and sacred vestments from the 15th to the 19th century. Important icons are displayed in the church, among them “Megas ei, Kyrie” by Ioannis Kornaros (1770). The Museum of Engravings and National Struggles includes engravings from the 15th to the 19th century, mainly from donations, and the Holy Banner of the Cretan Revolutions.

Highlights

• Icon “Megas ei, Kyrie” by Ioannis Kornaros (1770)
• Icon of Christ Pantokrator from the 15th century
• Panagia Akrotiriani (1724) by Nikolaos Sepis
• Holy Banner of the Cretan Revolutions
• Collection of engravings from the 15th to 19th century

Permanent exhibitions

• Εκκλησιαστικό μουσείο και κειμήλια – Icons, manuscripts, early printed books, liturgical vessels and sacred vestments in two ground-floor rooms, with icons from the 15th to 18th century.
• Μουσείο Χαρακτικών και Εθνικών Αγώνων – Woodcuts, copperplate engravings and lithographs from the 15th to 19th century, and the Holy Banner of the Cretan Revolutions with other relics of the struggles.

Operated by

Ιερά Σταυροπηγιακή Μονή Τοπλού

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The monastery is about 15 km from Sitia, near Cape Sidero.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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