Arkadi Monastery
This is one of the most beautiful and impressive monasteries on Crete and is well worth a visit. Follow the new national road to just outside Rethymnon then take the exit towards Amnatos. (You can find the exact directions on Google maps.)
Why is it famous?
The original buildings date back to the 12th century but it is most famous for the Cretan Revolution against the Ottomans, who had invaded in 1684. By 1866 there had been a number of revolutionary battles but 7-9 November 1866 is still remembered and celebrated to this day, the Battle of Arkadi became known as one of the most tragic events of European history.
Enter through the main gate and the Church is straight in front (all monasteries have the same layout), with the church in the centre and the working buildings around the edges.
The interior of the church is peaceful, tranquil and beautiful.
The legend has it that the Turks were aware that the monks in Arkadi were harbouring and training local men to fight against them so they attacked the monastery to kill the Cretan warriors.
However, the monastery was a refuge for many women and children from the nearby villages and on the day the Turks attacked there were 964 people in the monastery, 325 of them were men of whom 259 were armed. So there were over 700 innocent people within the walls.
On the morning of 8th November an army consisting of 6,000 Turkish soldiers, 200 horsemen, 1,200 Albanian soldiers and 30 cannons arrived at the Monastery. The 259 armed Cretan men didn’t stand a chance.
The terrible outcome
When November 9th dawned the battle began. The canons destroyed the western gate. The abbot ordered that the women, children and old men should take shelter in the gunpowder storage room.
The battle continued relentlessly. Turks and Cretans eventually fought in hand to hand combat, and many hundreds of men died on both sides.
Stuck in the gunpowder room with no means of escape, rather than be taken prisoner, they set light to the powder; 700 women, children and old men were instantly killed. All the warriors were either killed in battle or executed. They all became martyrs to the Revolution. The gunpowder room has never been rebuilt in memory to those who laid down their lives that day.
This event is considered to be one of the most important in Cretan history and was the reason that Arkadi was designated by UNESCO as a European Freedom Monument.
You can look round the monks’ cells, a museum and a gift shop. There is loads to see, these photos just give you an idea.
Opening Times
The Monastery and Museum visiting hours, daily from Monday to Sunday:
April – May: 09:00 to 19:00
June – August: 09:00 to 20:00
September – October : 09:00 to 19:00
November: 09:00 to 17:00
December – March: 09:00 to 16:00
That is such a sad tale, but a fascinating one historically. It’s amazing what one learning about history but also the hunan condition in general from the stories of particular buildings o’r space.
I enjoyed reading about this monasteey.
I enjoyed the tale and the photos very much