Toplou Monastery

This is one of the most important and beautiful monasteries in Crete.

Toplou, with its imposing 33 metres high belfry, is impressive, looking like a small fortress surrounded by a 10m high wall. In the past it was sacked by pirates, looted by the Knights of Malta, pillaged and captured by the Turks. A museum tells it's history and has a collection of icons, engravings, books, weapons and military souvenirs from the resistance.