Arkadi Monastery

Arkadi monastery is one of the most iconic and historical monasteries in Greece. It is located 23 km southeast of Rethymno city. According to historians, its name most possibly comes from the Byzantine Emperor Arkadios, who founded it in the 12th century. The current church of the monastery was built in the 16th century, and it has exquisite architecture, with Renaissance, Roman and Baroque elements. Since the 16th century the monastery was known as one of the biggest centers of science, art and culture in Crete. But Arkadi monastery became known all over the world, due to a tragic, and heroic at the same time, event. During the Cretan revolt of 1866, 943 Greeks, most of them women and children, sought refuge in the monastery to avoid being massacred by the Ottoman army. After 3 days of fierce and desperate battle between the few Cretan defenders and the Ottoman army, and with the abbot of the monastery leading the way, the besieged Cretans blew up barrels of gunpowder, causing a major explosion which killed all of them- along with hundreds of Ottoman soldiers - choosing self-sacrifice from surrendering. This heroic event caused worldwide sympathy and support for the revolting Cretans and marked a turning point in the Cretan Issue, which after many years finally led to the independence of the island and its reunion with the rest of Greece.