Arkadi Monastery

"The exact date of the foundation of the monastery is unknown, but it is believed that it was actually founded by the Byzantine emperor Arcadius in the 12th century. According to another version, the name is taken from the monk Arcadia, who first founded the monastery. In addition, the monastery was called Tsanli Manastir (i.e. Beneficiary's Bell) by the Turks because the Arkadi Monastery was the only monastery in Crete that had the right to ring the bells. Many Turkish and Greek documents speak of monastic life and adventures, which provided educational, national, ethical, and monetary support to the local population. Arkadi is truly the most historic monastery of Crete and has become the most sacred symbol of the Cretan struggle for liberation. It is the tragic year of 1866. the theater of battle that paved the way for the liberation of the island in 1898. In fact, UNESCO has declared Arkady a monument of European freedom. in 1866 The Cretan Revolution dealt a blow to the Turkish Empire, causing great economic damage and diminishing its military prestige. The Arkadi Monastery was the center of the Cretan struggle from the first moment of the revolution. in 1866 May 1st, 1500 Cretan rebels gathered, led by Hadji Michalis Giannaris and elected representatives of various Cretan provinces. Gabrielius Marinakis, the abbot of the Arkadi Monastery, was elected as the chairman of the Retimno commission."

"Visit the historic Arkadi Monastery, known for its role in the Cretan resistance against the Ottomans and its beautiful architecture."

"See the skulls after the holocaust. It is breathtaking!"