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GREECE PLACES
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Moni Toplou
The monastery was founded in the 15th century but was devastated during the earthquake of 1612 and it was rebuilt by the Venetians, but it was destroyed again by the Turkish occupation of Crete. Currently the monastery seems to own the entire
land mass of northeast The monastery is dedicated to Panagia Theotokos
and today There are also rooms with historical exhibits which reflect the monastery's role in the historical events which formulated modern Greece. In fact much of the destructions on its buildings and slaughter of the monks were caused by the direct involvement of the monastery with the organized resistance against the Turks, and more recently against the Germans in World War II. Near the monastery there is a small cave which functioned as a shelter for the resistance fighter's wireless radio during WWII. When the Germans found the radio they arrested three monks from Moni Toplou and tortured them. One monk (Evmenios Stamatakis) died in prison while abbot Gennadios Silignakis and Kallinikos Papathanasakis were executed. There is a steep dirt road leading to the cave about 500 meters away from the monastery towards Sitia. On our way out we visit the traditional cafe right outside the museum and enjoyed some local delicacies along with a little chilled raki in a genuine Cretan atmosphere. Home made yogurt and local honey is one of the most popular items on the menu, along with local Sitia olives, succulent cucumber, fresh baked bread, and xygalo.
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