The Arkadi Monastery is located 25 minutes’ drive (22klm) outside of Rethymno’s centre. Build In 1866, it played a key role in defending local people from Ottoman conquerors during the Cretan Revolution.
According to history, the Arkadi Monastery was founded around the 11th century AD, by a monk named Arkadios. It was initially dedicated to St. Constantine and St. Helen. The smaller church in the middle of the plateau that was initially built with few cells around was replaced by a majestic double-aisle church in 1587 as evidenced by the inscription at the base of the bell-tower. By 1600 AD, the building was completed for the whole castle-monastery in its current form, with very few changes being made with the years.
This monastery was important in Cretan history during the rebellion against Turkish island domination. In 1866, the monastery came to the notice of the Turkish Pasha as many rebels were sheltering there and in the rough gorges and hills nearby. Hence the monastery became a symbol of insurrection and freedom fighting, and a haven for Cretans fleeing the Turks.
So a Turkish fighting force of 1500 attacked the 950 or so men, women, and children who were sheltering on the monastery grounds. When the attack became successful and things looked grim for the rebels, the Abbott gave the order, as planned, to blow up the gunpowder stores and kill the rebels, women, and children, rather than fall into the hands of the Turks.
This is what happened, and so many proud Cretans died that day, 9th November 1866. The news of the actions of the rebels swept across Europe at that time and led to further support for Greek independence.
The façade of the church has been rebuilt in a breathtaking Venetian style, the interior church dates from 1587. There isa museum within the grounds of the monastery, which tells the story of the 1866 uprising. Here is kept the official banner of the rebellion, vestments, and relics of the monastery. The monastery still functions as a religious center.
Today, a visit to the monastery and grounds is an inspiring reminder of our modern freedoms and a chance for a deeper insight into the Cretan spirit. Visit the Venetian Church, the Gunpowder Magazine, the Refectory, the Ossuary, as well as the grounds of the Monastery.
There is a café and gift shop outside the monastery, where you can find local honey, raki, and handcrafts. Outside the fortress-like walls of the monastery are stables and a monument to the 1866 tragedy.
