Vrontissiou Monastery

  There are documents concerning the Monastery since 1400. It was one of the most important monastic and spiritual centres of Crete. It was a centre of the revolution of 1866 against the Turks and, as a result, it was greatly damaged.
  The Monastery' s Katholicon is a two-aisled church dedicated to St Antonius and the Apostle Thomas. The northern aisle is posterior to the rest of the church. The frescoes as well as the 15th century portable icons are unique specimens of the religious art of the Cretan Rennaisance. According to the tradition among the monastery's monks was the renowned Cretan painter Michael Damaskenos. The most important icons he painted for the monastery were transferred in Heraklion by the end of the 19th century and today are exhibited in the museum of St. Catherine of Sinai Monastery.
  Another attraction is the 15th century monumental fountain, that adornes the entrance of the Monastery. The fountain bears a relief representation of Adam and Eve.
  Restoration and consolidation works were carried out in the Katholicon and the monks' cells. The frescoes have also been restored. Today the Monastery is still a refuge of monastic life.