About 20 Km. from Sitia stands the historic Toplou Monastery. This monastery rises fortress-like out of an arid landscape. It is also known as Our Lady "of the Cape" ("Akrotiriani") because of its proximity to Cape Sidero.
It acquired the name of Toplou in Turkish times because it had cannon ("top") since Venetian days to protect itself from pirates. It dates from the 17th century, but the wall paintings in the church make it plain that the original buildings go back to 14th century.

The monastery is square with the ground plan of a fortress and a total area of 800 square meters.
The icon of Our Lady was found in a cave where there is a spring; its water is regarded as holy.