Arkadi Monastery is a historic monument of Crete, symbol of the 1821 Greek revolution for liberation from the Turks, an occupation that lasted 400 years. The opening day of the liberation struggle, the 25th of March, has been declared a national public holiday in Greece.

Arkadi Monastery had an important role in the revolution as here taken place one of the most remarkable events of the era. When 15,000 Turks had surrounded the monastery, where 250 Cretan rebels and about 700 more women and children had found sanctuary, after a two days battle and to escape the slavery, a local hero fired the gunpowder warehouse, killing Greek and Turkish soldiers.

 Arkadi Monastery built in the Byzantine period, in 5th century. The two-aisled church is dedicated to St. Constantine-St. Helen, and Transfiguration of Jesus, constructed in 1587, renovation of an older 14th century church. Inside the monastery there is exhibition with holly and war relics of the era.

You can visit Arkadi Monastery with our tour Tour 10 to learn about the Cretan revolution  history.