The Preveli Monastery on Crete

The Monastery of Preveli was probably founded in the 16th century during the Venetian occupation. It consists of two seperate buildings: the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, which is closer to the sea and is also referred to as Piso Moni (the monastery in the back), and the monastery of Saint John the Baptist, also referred as Kato Moni (the lower monastery), which is closer to the Megas River. The first part of the monastery (Piso Moni) is still in operation today.

The Preveli Monastery played an important role in the resistance in the second world war. They were a shelter for foreign troops that were trapped in crete and from the monastery two escapes were organized. The first mission brought them safely to Egypt, but the second mission became known to the German army and they tried to arrest the abbot of the Preveli Monastery. The abbot was informed of the German plans and managed to escape, but the German soldiers interrogated and arrested the monks and caused severe damage to the monastery.