Ktima Toplou

Toplou Monastery, located in northeastern Crete, is one of the most significant monasteries on the island — a fortress-like complex originally built in the 14th century at remote Cape Sidero, known since Ottoman times as Toplou (from the Turkish word for cannon). Throughout its history, the monastery has participated in national struggles and endured raids by pirates, the Knights of Malta, and occupying forces. Today, under the Toplou brand, the monks produce and sell high-quality certified organic products — wine, olive oil, and raki — as a continuation of the monastery’s centuries-long tradition of agricultural self-sufficiency and Cretan heritage preservation. During the Greek War of Independence of 1821, the Turks slaughtered the monks the monastery was abandoned, and valuable relics were looted. However, a modern school was established on the premises in 1840 to educate children in the remote area, and in 1869, it was again destroyed by the Turks during the Cretan Revolution. During the German occupation of Greece in 1941, a radio operated in the monastery for communicating with the Allies in Cairo, leading to the arrest and execution of the abbot and monks. The monks’ education level is evident in the value of the icons, with some being works of Ioannis Cornaro, including the “Great art Thou, o Lord, and Marvelous are Thy works” icon of 1770, the “Unwithering Rose” icon of 1771, and an icon of St.

Winery Tour and Wine Tasting

• Monastery & History: Visit the extraordinary 14th-century fortress monastery and learn about its remarkable history — from its founding as Theotokos Akrotiriani to its role in Greek national struggles and its iconic 33-metre belfry.
• Organic Production: Discover how the monks of Toplou produce certified organic wine, olive oil, and raki using traditional methods that have sustained this monastery community for centuries.
• Tasting: Taste Toplou’s exceptional organic products and experience the unique combination of monastic tradition, Cretan terroir, and certified organic farming.

Book your visit to Ktima Toplou Monastery in Crete through Gastronomy Tours.