Monastery of Agios Antonios (St Anthony) Vrontisi

Τhe Monastery of Vrondisi is situated between the villages of Zaros and Voriza in the southern foothills of Psiloritis. From its altitude of 550 metres, it commands a panoramic view of Messara and the Asterousia Mountains.

The two-aisled church is dedicated to St Anthony and the Resurrection of Apostle Thomas. It used to belong to the Varsamonero Monastery and it is not clear exactly when it was founded as a monastery in its own right.

The monastery is surrounded by a wall. 
At the outer entrance there is a 15th century marble fountain with a relief representation of Adam and Eve in Paradise, the Almighty, and four more figures symbolizing the rivers of Eden respectively. The Turks referred to the monastery as ‘sandrivanli monastir’ which means ‘fountain monastery’ in Turkish.

The Italian style bell tower of the monastery is one of the oldest belfries in Crete. 


Information/ Photos: Wikipedia.