Monastery of Arkadi

About

The Arkadi Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery, situated on a fertile plateau 23 kilometres (14 mi) to the southeast of Rethymno on the island of Crete in Greece. The current church (katholikon) dates from the 16th century, completed in the Renaissance Revival style, with a mix of both Roman and Baroque elements. As early as the 16th century, the monastery was a place of science and art, and had a school and a rich library. Situated on a plateau, the monastery is well fortified, being surrounded by a thick and high wall. The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance to Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. 943 Greeks, mostly women and children, sought refuge in the monastery. After three days of battle and under orders from the hegumen (abbot) of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels of gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice themselves rather than surrender. The monastery became a national sanctuary in honor of the Cretan resistance, commemorated on 8 November. The explosion did not end the Cretan insurrection, but it attracted the attention of the rest of the world.

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Places within walking or a short drive, best first.