The monastery is near the village of Amnatos, 500m above sea level, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, pines, cypresses, and kermes oaks.
The first church, called katholikon in an orthodox monastery, was built in the early 16th century AD. The second that is still standing today is a two-aisled church built in 1572 by the owner of the monastery Mattheos Kallergis, and the abbot Klimis Chortatzis. The rest of the complex was built between 1670 and 1714 to serve the needs of communal life.
The monastery played an important role during the Cretan Revolution. In 1866 monks and residents barricaded themselves within it while the Ottomans besieged them. The besieged preferred to lose their lives rather than surrender and blew up the powder room. This sacrifice of 964 people raised awareness in the rest of Europe regarding the liberation struggle of the Cretans.
The architecture of the monastery has elements of late Italian Renaissance combined with local building traditions. The complex of the monastery occupies a large area (73.80m x 78.80m). Its fortification wall has a characteristic arched gate and within it are the church and the communal areas.
The monastery’s contribution to education was significant. It also functioned as a workshop for manuscripts and gold embroidery. In the monasteries you can admire many manuscripts and gold-embroidered vests.