After its foundation, Stavrovouni was occupied by Orthodox monks living according to the rule of St. Basil. We obtain further historical information from Western visitors to Cyprus in the 13th century. Willibrandi de Oldenburg, for example, visited Stavrovouni in 1211 and wrote, The cross of the Good Thief is on the highest mountain in Cyprus - which was incorrect, as Stavrovouni is not as high as the Troodos peak. Ludolph von Suchen noted in 1305, The mountain is like the Mount Tabor on which the Benedictine monks live. From its peak one can see the Lebanon. This is true, but the weather must be very clear in order to verify this.