The monastery is in the lush valley of Amari, 35km from Rethymno.
We have evidence for its foundation from a document that dates to the 13th century. During the period of Venetian rule, the monastery was associated with the old aristocratic Chortatzis family. Nearby is the tomb of George Chortatzis, a Cretan dramatist of the 16th century. In the 18th century, the monastery became the seat of the bishop and flourished. During the Greek War of Independence of 1821, it was destroyed, and reconstructed soon after.
In 1927 the monastery ceased to function, and the Agricultural School of Amari is established on its premises. The plan of the monastic complex changed with the addition of new buildings for the school. Today, the complex houses the Research Centre of the National Institute of Agricultural Research, and its buildings are in the process of being restored. The main church of the monastery dates to the 14th century and was built on an older one of the 10th century.