Rethymno Arkadi Monastery
Location: Arkadi
The Monastery of Arkadi is a place of special historical interest, known for the events that took place there during the Revolt of 1866. The monastery is built on the edge of a high plateau, near the Arkadi Gorge. It is one of the most important monuments of Crete and a great pole of attraction for visitors.
Located 23 km southeast of Rethymno Town and 500 m above sea level, the initial fortified part of the monastery was built in the 12th century, presumably by a monk named Arkadios. According to another version, the monastery has been named after the Byzantine emperor Arcadius. The most important part of the Monastery is a church dedicated to the Saints Constantine and Helen, as well as to the Transfiguration of Jesus.
Top Tours and activities
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![Arkadi Melidoni and Margarites tour 1]()
![Arkadi Melidoni and Margarites tour 2]()
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Arkadi Melidoni and Margarites tour
Book nowfrom € 35.00Category: Day Trips10 hours MapTake a look around some small villages and rural Crete! Stop by an olive mill and explore one of the oldest monasteries on the island.
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![Arkadi Monastery E-Bike tour with lunch 1]()
![Arkadi Monastery E-Bike tour with lunch 2]()
![Arkadi Monastery E-Bike tour with lunch 3]()
Arkadi Monastery E-Bike tour with lunch
Book nowfrom € 70.00Category: Biking, Gastronomy6 hours MapExperience a 44-kilometer trip with an e-bike towards the stunning Arkadi Monastery and enjoy a traditional Cretan lunch!
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![Cretan culture tour and pottery workshop 1]()
![Cretan culture tour and pottery workshop 2]()
![Cretan culture tour and pottery workshop 3]()
Cretan culture tour and pottery workshop
Book nowfrom € 33.00Category: Activities, Other1 day MapHop on a guided tour around Crete, which includes many sights, a pottery-making workshop, and olive tasting.
More about the Arkadi Monastery
The monastery is quite large and its high walls resemble a fortress. This holy place became widely known after the events of November 1866, when Crete rebelled against the Turks, who had been dominating the island for the past 200 years. When the Turkish soldiers stormed the monastery after many hours of siege, the besieged, led by a monk, blew up a room filled with gunpowder. The explosion, which killed all the people inside the monastery and most of the Turkish soldiers as well, was a desperate act so that the besieged would not fall into the hands of their enemies.
This act has become a symbol of the Cretan struggles for liberation and makes the Monastery of Arkadi one of the most historic ones in Crete. There are a few monks who still live there, taking care of the church and the surrounding buildings. Inside the monastery, you will find a small souvenir shop with handmade items and great copies of Byzantine icons.
The monastery also houses an interesting museum with a great collection of post-Byzantine icons, vestments, manuscripts, banners and other objects related to the 1866 Revolt. Outside the monastery, there is a memorial dedicated to the Cretans who died in 1866, displaying the remains of the dead.
Official website: arkadimonastery.gr
Photos by Greeka Members
Map
Reviews
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olli.lampinen 15 Sep 2012Nice architecture fine monumentI visited with my wife the Arkadi Monastery in September 2011. We went there from Rethymno with the Yellow Train. During the trip we also saw much of the nice Cretan nature. The Sacred Monastery of Arkadi is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery Museum situated on a plateau 23 kilometres southeast of Rethymno. Behind this place is a very fascinating history. The fortness-like monastery played an active role 1866 in the revolt against the Ottomans. In the revolt battle, 943 Greeks died when the Greek pepople in the monastery finally decided to put fire on the powder magazine. The Venetian church dates back to 16th century and is marked by the influence of the Renaissance. The other buildings on the ground are rebuilt in a very fine way. There is also a museum with a tourist shop. In the countryard are fine amazing flowers. We had a very fine and intresting day there in the monastery. Go to this magnificent place, you will love it, we are sure!
