The exact date of the founding of the monastery in Preveli is currently difficult to estimate, however, it is assumed that the first framework of activity had its beginning in the 10th or the beginning of the 11th century. In its present form, the monastery was built around 1594 and was financed by a local ruler called Prevelis.
During the Turkish occupation, which began in 1649, the Preveli monastery, like many other such places, was destroyed. Later, it was rebuilt and once again was one of the most important monasteries in Crete, strongly affecting the local community of Sfakia residents. Preveli was also an important center of resistance to the Turkish occupation. The monks repeatedly proved their bravery and commitment to regaining independence, taking part in subsequent uprisings that erupted in Crete. The monastery paid for it the highest price, it was destroyed several times and plundered by the Turkish army.
In 1913, after the unification of Crete with Greece, the monks from Preveli ended their participation in the struggle for independence. Returning to the monastery, they resumed primary peaceful activity, focusing on the social and spiritual role of Preveli. During this period, the monastery again became an important cultural center.
[full story of the Preveli monastery during the Turkish occupation]
During the Second World War, the monks from the Preveli monastery added more glorious cards to their brave history. After the evacuation of the Allied army from Crete, Preveli and the surrounding villages were a place of refuge for the soldiers who remained on the island. A group of Australian soldiers made contact with the Allied armies in the Middle East. Using a submarine, some of the hiding soldiers were evacuated to Egypt. Unfortunately, the second attempt to evacuate another group of soldiers, ended with the detection of this operation by the Germans. The unwavering attitude of the monks was met with a very strong reaction of the occupant. Abbot Agathangelos' father, then Abbot, had to flee from the monastery. The monks, after undergoing a very brutal interrogation, were accused of illegal possession of weapons and a radio transmitter, and then put in prison.
It was only after the intervention of Bishop Agathangelos Xirouhakis that the monks were released from prison and allowed to return to Preveli. On the spot it turned out that as a part of the repercussion the monastery was completely plundered. The Germans took away all valuables and goods collected in the monastery. Even the most precious relic of Preveli was stolen - the miraculous Cross of Ephraim with the splinter of the cross of Christ. Everything that German soldiers did not want or could not take away was largely destroyed or devastated.
Until the end of the war, the monastery and surrounding villages were under the strict supervision of the German army. In spite of this, the monks continued to try to help the Allied soldiers and actively support partisans from the National Resistance Movement operating in the nearby mountains.
Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
The monastery in Preveli consists of two complexes, lower buildings (Kato) and upper Pisso. Currently, only the upper monastery is still used, the lower part of the buildings is largely destroyed, and although recently the works related to the revitalization of this place have been noted, Kato Preveli is still not open to the public.
The majority of people living in the lower monastery were young monks and civilians working here. Most of Kato Preveli's buildings were full outbuildingsvery different functions (warehouses, oil press, farm buildings for animals and others). In this place there were also workshops in which current repairs of agricultural equipment were made. The monastery also had its own carpentry, weaving and shoemaker workshop. In Kato Preveli, there were also rooms where visitors to the monastery were admitted.
In the middle of the courtyard there is a small single-nave church (Katolikon) measuring about 10 meters long and about 4.5 meters wide. There is a belfry at the western wall. The equipment of this church is currently presented in a small museum made available in Piso Preveli.
The upper monastery is located on a slope steeply sloping towards the Libyan Sea. From this place there is a picturesque view of the rocky coast below the monastery. The buildings were arranged on an irregular U-shape plan with the open part facing south. The main part of the buildings is located in the northern part of the complex. These buildings tightly cut into the mountain slope and most storeys are below the original level of the earth.
In the central part of the monastery there is a small fountain, which was formerly used as the main source of water. On the stone wall of this fountain is inscribed and date 1701. There is a small building opposite, which now serves as a cloister museum and a souvenir shop with local products. There are exhibited there vestments and liturgical vessels, bishop's crowns. The most important document is also kept here, being an act from 1798 certifying that the monastery was directly subordinate to the Patriarchs of Constantinople
In the main courtyard stands the present Preveli church dedicated to Saint. John the Theologian, who was built on the site of an elder who was demolished in 1835. The current two-nave building is less than 14 meters long and about 8 meters wide. The walls are at the base of 1.8 meters thick, which decreases to 1.2 at the level of the vault. The simple form of the building is devoid of sophisticated decorations, one of the few decorative elements are fancy round perforated skylights. Marble frames, lintels and carved two-headed eagle were added in 1911.
The interior of the church, which has survived to our times in a virtually intact and unchanged condition, is particularly valuable. The only relatively new element that has been introduced inside is the decorative stone floor. Particular attention is drawn to the gilded pulpit sculpted in 1863 by Dimitrius Ragouzis at the time when Preveli was Abbot Daniel Koufakis. It is also worth paying attention to the large number of interesting icons, many of which were created before the period of the most turbulent years of the 1866 revolution. Iconostasis icons were painted by the best local painters in 1840/41. During the fights iconostas and icons were hidden in nearby caves. In the church, the recovered richly decorated wonderful golden cross Ephraim is also stored.
Regardless of where you are going to Preveli, the fastest way will be to reach Rethymnon . Overcoming the part of the New National Road constituting the beltway of this city, in the central part, take the road number 97 heading south to the town of Spili - Timpaki. After covering about 16 kilometers, you will reach a bifurcation allowing you to take the road leading to Koxare. In the distance you will see the Kouartaliotiko gorge, behind which there is another small town called Asomatos. In this village, turn left following the signs towards Preveli. From here the scenic road is relatively easy and well marked.
Monastery is open daily from 9 to 19 hours of two-hour interval of 13 30 to 15 30. Admission tickets cost € 2 per person. There is a small tavern at the entrance to the monasteryYou can eat typical Greek snacks and, more importantly, you can drink cold (and warm if someone needs) drinks.
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Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
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Redirected from the site - Moni Arkadi. The date of the foundation of Moni Arkadiou (Arkadi) is not exactly known. According to tradition, the name of this church refers to the name of the Emperor Arkadiusz, who supposedly was to be its founder. However, the current Renaissance building is much younger and comes from the 16th century.
Komentarze
komentarz z
Dla mnie,jeden z piękniejszych kreteńskich klasztorów!
komentarz z
Zdecydowanie :). I nawet można przymknąć oko na dosyć kapryśne godziny pracy ;)
komentarz z
Jakoś tego nie zauważyliśmy,widocznie dobrze trafiliśmy!
komentarz z
Beata trzeba trafić. Jeśli jedzie się z daleka to warto jednak wcześniej uwzględnić w planach, że w trakcie dnia są dwie godziny przerwy. Osobiście widzieliśmy sporą liczbę całujących klamkę ;). Zawsze można połączyć popołudniowe zwiedzanie klasztoru z wcześniejszym wypoczynkiem na plaży.
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