Moni Vrondisiou

The 14th century Moni Vrondisiou lies about 3 km from the monastery of Agios Nikolaos, near Zaros.  The monastery was burned by the Turks in 1821 for its revolutionary activities; however, its beautiful gate and 15th century Venetian fountain are still in a good condition. Visitors can admire the wonderful and unique 14th century frescoes in the monastery';s double-aisled church, as well as a collection of icons taken from the church of Agios Fanourios, which is all that survives from the nearby monastery Valsamonero. Moni Vrondisiou has given up six wonderful panels by Damaskinos to the icon gallery of Agia Ekaterini in Heraklion, after a premonition of its sacking. They were created during the monastery';s golden age, when it was the most important intellectual center of the region.