A long history and a view of the exotic palm trees of Libyan
Motivation for a visit here is the only natural environment, but also the homonymous beach near the monastery. The Preveli Monastery is about 10 kilometers east of Plakias and is one of the most famous and respectable monasteries of Crete.
Many legends are associated with the founding of the monastery that is located during the Venetian occupation, as is the case with most Cretan monasteries. However, it is not known exactly when it was built, only that it was created by the union of two smaller monasteries. This historic monastery was a religious, intellectual and revolutionary center during the Ottoman domination, since it helped in many ways the Cretan freedom.
Apart from its catholic, it consists of two building complexes. The lower monastery or St. John the Baptist, which includes works by the hagiographer of Mercury, while today it is completely deserted, and the back monastery or St. John the Theologian, which although not rescued, the 150 year old catholic gaze up to nowadays the vast Libyan Sea.
The monastery also has an ecclesiastical museum, hosting approximately 100 images of invaluable religious and historical value.