Description of the attraction
One of the most interesting and popular attractions, as well as an important historical and architectural monument of Crete, is undoubtedly the Vosaku Monastery. The holy monastery is located on a picturesque plateau, on the northern slope of Mount Talaya, about 50 km east of the city of Rethymno.
Written sources that have survived to this day testify to the continuous existence of the Vosaku Monastery since the beginning of the 17th century. In 1676, by decision of the Ecumenical Patriarch Parthenius IV, the monastery received the status of stavropegia and a number of exceptional opportunities for its development and prosperity.
In the 19th century, during the Greek War of Independence, the inhabitants of the monastery provided active support to the rebels, for which they paid the price - the monastery complex was partially destroyed by the Turks, although it was quickly restored.
After 1960, when the last monk of the monastery went to another world, the Vosaku monastery was abandoned and gradually turned into ruins. A large-scale restoration of the old monastery began in 1998 under the leadership of the 28th Euforat of Byzantine antiquities and financial support from the local authorities. To date, most of the monastery complex has been restored. Several monks permanently residing within its walls are looking after the monastery.
The Katholikon of Vosaku Monastery is a very austere one-nave domed church, built in 1855 on the ruins of an older temple and consecrated in honor of the Holy Cross. On three sides, the Catholicon is surrounded by a complex of structures where the kitchen, refectory, monastic cells and various utility rooms are located. You will see an ancient fountain dating back to 1673, which has been perfectly preserved to this day, next to the Catholicon.
