Μonasticism - Μonasteries
During the period of the Venetian rule, specifically from the 14th century, monasticism developed on the island. In the beginning the monasteries were very few, as their operating conditions were very difficult. Many old Byzantine monasteries, located in the fiefs of the Venetians, had been deserted and the buildings, churches and cells had collapsed. Later, however, during the last 150 years of the Venetian occupation, a strong revival of monasticism was observed, with the parallel establishment of many new ones or the reconstitution of other old and forgotten monasteries. The monasteries in Venetian-occupied Crete were centers of permanent resistance against the Venetians, but also great centers of letters and education.
