The Preveli Monastery was founded during the last years of the Venetian Era or the first years of the Turkish Occupation. The theologos Monastery, or the “Monastery of the Great River”, as it was originally known, was linked to the Prevelis family through the assignment of land property that once belonged to the family. In the surrounding region, small churches, dating back to the 13th century, are annexed to the Monastery as metochia.
The Monastery flourished during the 18th and 19th century, and became an important artistic and spiritual centre. At the same time, it played a leading role at the Revolution of 1821, as well as during World War II, when it served as a flee centre towards Egypt. The buildings of the complex developed in a M shape surrounding the two-aisled Katholikon, that was built in 1837 at the place of the older, possibly wall-painted church. One of the oldest constructions is the fountain, with the date 1701 being the first epigraphic data.
Apart from the main Theologos Monastery (known as Katholikon), in a short distance at the NE, lies the second monastic complex, the Timios Prodromos Monastery (Lower Monastery). The complex, nowadays ruined, was a metochion of the Theologos Monastery. It served for the accomodation of the monks during the agricultural activity, as it was situated amidst the plots belonging to the Monastery. Its main part dates in the 19th century.
