Preveli Monastery: Faith and Resistance Above the Sea

Perched dramatically above the Libyan Sea on Crete's south coast, Preveli Monastery has been a center of Orthodox faith and Cretan resistance for nearly a thousand years. Its remote location, stunning views, and heroic history make it one of the most atmospheric religious sites in Greece.

Two Monasteries

Preveli actually comprises two sites. The lower monastery (Kato Preveli) lies in ruins but rewards exploration. The upper monastery (Piso Preveli), founded around 1594, remains active and welcomes visitors.

World War II Heroism

During the Battle of Crete and German occupation (1941-1944), the monks of Preveli risked their lives to shelter Allied soldiers and help them escape by submarine. A monument near the monastery honors this courage. The Germans eventually burned the monastery in retaliation.

What to See

• The Church: 17th-century with significant icons and a golden cross said to contain a fragment of the True Cross
• The Museum: Religious artifacts, vestments, and resistance memorabilia
• The Views: Breathtaking panoramas of the Libyan Sea
• The Memorial: Honoring WWII evacuations

Practical Information

• Location: 37 km south of Rethymno
• Hours: 9am-7pm (summer), reduced in winter
• Dress code: Cover shoulders and knees; wraps available
• Combine with: Preveli Beach is a short drive away

Preveli's combination of spiritual atmosphere, historical significance, and spectacular location creates an experience unlike any other monastery in Crete.