The Monastery

Toplou Monastery, dedicated to Panayia Virgin Mary of the Cape and St. John the Theologian was built during the 14^th century on the eastern-part of the Greek island of Crete between Sitia and Vai Palm Beach. It is considered to be one of the most significant monasteries of the Greek Orthodox Church due to its long historical, religious, social and cultural importance. Toplou Monastery is renowned in Europe for its exquisite products of organic farming, wines and awarded olive oil. Monks’ diet is based solely on non-processed food and drinks which are ideal for the fasting period. Holy Monastery Cells are surrounded by olive orchards which give organic and protected designation of origin products.  

The Vision

Following the vision for a high quality product and local development, local farmers along with the monks established BIOSITIA SA in 1999 for the production, bottling and distribution of Extra Virgin Olive Oil PDO SITIA of Organic Farming. BIOSITIA’s core value is respect to the human being and its environment. Production process complies with all necessary quality systems’ directives and is certified according to IFS, BRC, ISO:22000:2005, ISO:22005, Agrocert and Bio Hellas.