# Vrontisi Monastery

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Greek Orthodox monastery in Crete, Greece

Vrontisi Monastery Μονή Βροντισίου View of the St. Anthony church Location of the monastery in Crete Interactive map of Vrontisi Monastery Monastery information Order Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Denomination Greek Orthodox Dedicated to St. Anthony Archdiocese Church of Crete People Founder Vrontisis Important associated figures Michael Damaskinos (monk artist) Michael Korakas (revolutionary) Architecture Status Monastery Functional status Active Style Byzantine Completion date 14th century Site Location Mt. Ida, Heraklion, Crete Country Greece Coordinates 35°8′37″N 24°52′15″E / 35.14361°N 24.87083°E / 35.14361; 24.87083

The **Vrontisi Monastery** ([Greek](/source/Greek_language): Μονή Βροντισίου[a]) is a [Greek Orthodox](/source/Greek_Orthodox) [monastery](/source/Monastery) situated between the villages of [Zaros](/source/Zaros) and [Vorizia](/source/Vorizia) of the [Heraklion](/source/Heraklion_(regional_unit)) region in south-central [Crete](/source/Crete), [Greece](/source/Greece). The monastery is approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) southwest of [Heraklion](/source/Heraklion), situated on the south slopes of [Mt. Ida](/source/Mount_Ida_(Crete)) at 550 metres (1,800 ft) [above sea level](/source/AMSL). From the monastery, there are panoramic views of the [Mesara Plain](/source/Mesara_Plain) and the [Asterousia Mountains](/source/Asterousia_Mountains). The origin of its name is not clear; according to the prevailing explanation it was named after its founder whose surname was *Vrontisis*.[1]

## History

[Venetian](/source/Republic_of_Venice) archives contain several documents referring to the Vrontisi Monastery.[2] The earliest written reference dates from 1474. However, it is older than that but the exact year of its establishment is unknown.

The Vrontisi Monastery was established as a [metochion](/source/Metochion) of the nearby [Varsamonerou Monastery](/source/Varsamonerou_Monastery). The former fell into decline after 1500 whereas Vrontisi began to flourish and reached its apogee as a regional monastic and spiritual centre during the 16th and 17th centuries. After the [fall of Crete](/source/Cretan_War_(1645%E2%80%931669)) to the [Turks](/source/Ottoman_Crete), the [Arkadi Monastery](/source/Arkadi_Monastery) was deserted and its monks fled to the Vrontisi Monastery. According to tradition, [Michael Damaskinos](/source/Michael_Damaskinos), the renowned painter of the [Cretan School](/source/Cretan_School), is believed to have served as a monk at the Vrontisi Monastery. Six of Damaskinos' best known icons were kept at the monastery until 1800 and are nowadays displayed at the St. Catherine of Sinai museum in Heraklion.

Owing to its fortified position, the Vrontisi Monastery was used as a revolutionary centre during the Cretan uprisings of the 19th century. During the great [Cretan revolt](/source/Cretan_Revolt_(1866%E2%80%931869)) of 1866, [Michael Korakas](/source/Michael_Korakas) used the monastery as his headquarters. In reprisal, the Ottomans slaughtered the monks and burned all crops, which resulted in the monastery being deserted and most of its [heirlooms](/source/Heirloom) destroyed. During the [German occupation](/source/Axis_occupation_of_Greece) of 1941–44, the Vrontisi Monastery provided shelter to [resistance](/source/Greek_Resistance) fighters.

The Vrontisi Monastery continues to be active. Despite having lost a significant part of its former glory due to the demolition of its fortifications, it continues to be an imposing sight.

## Architecture

The fountain at the entrance of the monastery.

Similarly to most monasteries built during the [Venetian period](/source/Venetian_Crete), the monastery used to be heavily fortified and surrounded by thick walls. However, only parts of the west wall remain today. In the middle of the court stands a two-[nave](/source/Nave) church (*[katholikon](/source/Katholikon)*) dedicated to [St. Anthony](/source/Anthony_the_Great) (Antonios) and [St. Thomas](/source/Thomas_the_Apostle). The church was painted with [frescoes](/source/Fresco) of which very few remain in the southern nave. An arched [bell tower](/source/Bell_tower) of Italian influence rises besides the church. At the main entrance of the monastery there is a marble fountain dating to the Venetian era, featuring [Adam](/source/Adam), [Eve](/source/Eve) and four faces from which the water flows that symbolize the four rivers of the [Garden of Eden](/source/Garden_of_Eden). Ottoman Turks used to call the Vrontisi Monastery in [Turkish](/source/Turkish_language): *Santrivanli Monastir*, [lit.](/source/Literal_translation) 'Fountain Monastery'. According to the Italian architect [Giuseppe Gerola](/source/Giuseppe_Gerola), the fountain dates from the 15th century and was created by an artisan that could skilfully use the chisel, something that was uncommon in Crete at the time.[2]

## See also

- [Architecture portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Architecture)
- [Christianity portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Christianity)
- [Greece portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Greece)

- [Church of Crete](/source/Church_of_Crete)

- [List of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Greek_Orthodox_monasteries_in_Greece)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Also spelled as Βροντησίου.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Μονή Βροντησίου](http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1512) [Vrontisi Monastery]. *[Hellenic Ministry of Culture](/source/Ministry_of_Culture_(Greece))* (in Greek).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Detorakis_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Detorakis_3-1) Δετοράκης, Θ.; Ψιλάκης, Ν.; Χατζηκωστής, Α. (1986). Τα μοναστήρια της Κρήτης (in Greek). Αθήνα: Τράπεζας Κρήτης.

## External links

Media related to [Moni Agiou Antoniou Vrontisiou](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Moni_Agiou_Antoniou_Vrontisiou) at Wikimedia Commons

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Vrontisi Monastery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrontisi_Monastery) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrontisi_Monastery?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.