Arkadi is the most historic monastery of Crete and has become the most sacred symbol of the struggle of the Cretans for liberation. The tragic Battle of 1866 opened the way for the liberation of the island in 1898. UNESCO has designated Arkadi as a historic site.
The Monastery picture above is arguably the best-known monastery on Crete due to the Holocaust of 1866. However, its location and striking architecture make it even more special. It is a large, fortified complex built during the end of the period of Venetian rule. The monastery is located in the Rethymno regional unit, 25 km southeast of Rethimni, situated on a rectangular plateau on the northwest side of Mount Ida (Crete), at an altitude of 500 meters. Apart from the monks’ cells, the central building also includes warehouses, premises for processing agricultural products, as well as stables.
The impressive two-aisled church, dedicated to Saint Constantine and Saint Helen and to the Transfiguration of the Saviour, is one of the most important architectural monuments of the Cretan Renaissance. Completed in 1587 and its facade clearly demonstrates the penetration of western architectural trends in 16th and 17th-century Crete. The history of the monastery begins during the Byzantine Empire.
From the 16th century onwards, the monastery was a major intellectual center. In November 1866, Ottoman armies laid siege to the monastery, where 700 women and children and 260 Cretan warriors had barricaded themselves after the Abbot’s refusal to surrender. After a two-day siege, the women and children and the warriors, led by Constantinos Yiaboudakis, entered the gunpowder magazine, set it on fire and blew it up, leading several Ottomans to their death. This event is considered to be one of the most important in Cretan history and was the reason that Arkadi was designated by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a European Freedom Monument.
Museum and Art Gallery
The Monastery Museum is in an area of cells and auxiliary rooms of the Monastery – accommodates many old relics that have endured the ravages of time and environmental degradation caused by the occupation of the Monastery by insidious besiegers.
The Art Gallery is installed in the recently restored and aptly arranged areas of the former Museum of the Monastery that were completed on occasion of the commemoration of the one hundred and fifty years from the Arkadic Self-Sacrifice of 1866. It is on the first floor of the building where the Museum Collection of the Sacred Monastery is exhibited.
The Art Gallery contains artwork of past and modern artists, inspired both by the ultimate sacrifice of the Holocaust of the Monastery in 1866 and its general historic and spiritual trajectory through time.
Gift Shop
A beautiful gift shop is in the Monastery area and specifically at the North wing next to the Cellars, where it is possible to find various souvenirs of ecclesiastic art. The shop features souvenirs – icons, religious objects, books – that are on display at the shop, various natural products are on sale, which are cultivated and created at the Monastery.
Visiting Hours
September: 09:00 to 19:00
October: 09:00 to 18:00
November: 09:00 to 17:00
March 09:00 to 18:00
April – May: 09:00 to 19:00
June – July – August: 09:00 to 20:00
The hours above apply daily, Monday to Sunday.
From April to October, the Museum and entrance to the Monastery operate daily. On Sundays, the Museum opens after the completion of the Divine Liturgy.
Holy Ceremonies are performed at the monastery daily according to the Orthodox ecclesiastic rites. The morning ceremony starts at 06:00 a.m. and the evening ceremony starts at 05:00 p.m.
Other Places to Visit
Melidoni Cave
The history of Melidoni is connected to its cave, Gerondospilio, the excavations of the cave have revealed that it was inhabited by prehistoric people. It was also used as a shrine dedicated to the giant guardian of Crete, Talos, and later to Hermes Talaios as shown on the inscription on the entrance of the cave.
The area around the cave was inhabited by shepherds. Legend has it that one day a shepherd lost a goat and found it drinking water from a little spring. The residents of the village dug the “royal well” in the spot where the village square is today. Every family used to have a garden well. There are still 103 wells today. The village is located near the sea and the city of Rethymnon.
Melidoni Cave
Private Guided Tour of Traditional Santorini with wine tasting- Full Day
Enjoy Santorini’s beauty, culture, and cuisine on a private tour of the island, from must-see highlights to traditional villages not on the usual tourist itinerary. Head to the island’s highest point for panoramic views, visit the ruins of castles, and stop for lunch at a family fish tavern on a black-sand beach. Learn what makes volcanic wines unique during a guided tasting at a winery and end the day with a classic Santorini sunset from the postcard-perfect village of Oia.
Golden Ibex Events & Tours (Pyrgos) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (tripadvisor.com)
Other Tours
Chania Adventures (Chania Town) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (tripadvisor.com)
Oia, Crete
Accommodations
Kapsaliana Village
Kapsaliana Village Hotel is unrivaled, standing out on a myriad of levels. Breathtaking and natural locations steeped in history and tradition; a paradigmatic work of architectural restoration; chic accommodation; incredibly delicious food and authentic experiences that carry meaning, all of which offer a holiday experience that transcends time, one where luxury and harmony are at an equilibrium.
Kapsaliana, Rethymnon, 74100, Crete, Greece
Tel: +30 2831083400 , E-mail: info@kapsalianavillage.gr
WYNDHAM GRAND CRETE MIRABELLO BAY
Havania, Agios Nikolaos, 72100
0030 2841028400
Take a dip in the sprawling outdoor pool, get pampered at the full-service spa, and fulfill every craving with nine on-site restaurants and bars. For those who want to stay active, we offer a well-equipped fitness center, tennis court, volleyball court, and a variety of water activities.
At the end of a fun-filled day, retreat to one of the 311 luxurious guest rooms, bungalows, or maisonettes, appointed with a private balcony, bright décor, and modern amenities.
Gallery
Rethymnon at Sunset
Favourite Haunts 
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