Arkadi Monastery

Arkadi is one of the most important and historic monasteries in crete dating back to the 16th century. The Monastery of Arkadiou (located 23 km south-east of Rethymno) is a great symbol of Crete. In the year 1646 during the Turkish conquest of the island, having been sacked, it was later restored and continued to flourish, as is shown in the architecture of the church and considered to be one of the best samples as what is known as the Cretan Renaissance. The Corinthian coloumns, curved arches and pinnacles are also considered to be architectural elements.

In the year 1866 in the month of November, there were 287 men, 700 women and 45 monks who took refuge in the monastery during the time of the revolution. Their fighter leader "Kostas Yiamboudakis" decided, as apposed to surrendering to the Turks they would blow up their gun-powder stores with themselves inside. During the whole battle there were around 3,000 Egyptians and Turks killed too.

This was considered a most courageous act and the tragic news echoed around the world. Each year on 8th November which is now a National Holiday of Crete in rememberance of the tragedy, hundreds of Cretans and important Heads of Departments gather to pay their respect to the martyrs of that fatal day.

Yiannis Katsouras

Olympios Construction & Estate Agency

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