On the northeastern precipice of Crete, a mere 12 kilometers north of Palekastro, the Toplou Monastery stands as a monumental testament to the island’s rich tapestry of history and spirituality. Founded in the mid-15th century, this fortress-like sanctuary has weathered the seismic shifts of time, surviving devastating earthquakes, Venetian reconstruction efforts, and the scourge of Ottoman conquests, only to emerge Read more…