Lassithi Vidiani Monastery

Location: Tzermiado

The Monastery of Vidiani is located in the Lassithi Plateau, near Kato Metohi village. It was founded in 1856 by the monk Methodios Perakis, on the site of a pre-existing monastery that used to belong to the noble Venetian family Vidi — hence the name Vidiani.

This 19th-century monastery is dedicated to the Life-Giving Spring, whose symbolic representation is the fountain that can be seen in the courtyard. The convent was destroyed in 1867, during the Battle of Lassithi, but its reconstruction began soon afterwards. It remained in operation until 1968 as a male monastery, but, after the last monks passed away, it lay deserted until 1991.

These days, its buildings have been fully restored and are surrounded by tall cypresses and well-kept flower beds. The monastery also houses a small natural history museum with specimens of the local flora and fauna, as well as rocks from the Lassithi Plateau. Inside the church, visitors will have the opportunity to see an ornately carved wooden altarpiece, adorned with 19th-century icons, as well as the Byzantine icon of Panagia Vidiani. A religious gift shop and a small cafe complete the monastery’s facilities.

The church's 17th-century bell has been transferred to the Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion.