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Monastery · Rethymno, Creta
Mosteiro de Arkadi (Moni Arkadiou)
The monastery of Arkadi, 23 km from Rethymno, with a Renaissance façade dating from 1587 and the memory of the 1866 explosion, when hundreds of Cretans died resisting the Ottoman siege; a symbol of Crete's freedom.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mosteiro de Arkadi (Moni Arkadiou)
The Arkadi monastery sits on a plateau 500 metres above sea level, 23 km southeast of Rethymno, amid olive groves and vineyards. Tradition links its foundation to the Byzantine emperor Arcadius in the 5th century, but the present church dates from the 16th century: it began around 1562 and the façade, from 1587, is one of the finest Renaissance works in Crete, with four pairs of Corinthian columns, arches and a clock at the top, inspired by Italian architects such as Serlio and Palladio.
What makes Arkadi a sacred place for Cretans is 8 November 1866. During the uprising against the Ottomans, about 960 people — monks, fighters, women and children — took refuge in the monastery, which was besieged by thousands of soldiers. When the walls fell, the gunpowder magazine where most people were was detonated from inside, and the explosion killed the refugees and many attackers. The news spread across Europe and helped the cause of Crete's union with Greece.
The visit includes the two‑nave church, the refectory, with bullet and sword marks on the tables, the ruined powder magazine and the old windmill, now an ossuary, where the skulls of those who died in 1866 are displayed in a cabinet. A small museum holds icons, liturgical vestments and weapons from the period. The monastery remains active, with a few monks.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to one and a half hours.
Best time
In the morning, before the tour buses arrive, or in the late afternoon. In spring, from March to May, the plateau is green. On 8 November there are ceremonies and the monastery fills up.
How to get there
It's 23 km from Rethymno, about a 40‑minute drive on a mountain road, with signs for Moni Arkadiou. There are KTEL buses from Rethymno with only a few departures a day; check at the station. Organized tours include the monastery.
Tip
Shoulders and knees covered to enter. Start with the church and the museum and leave the ossuary, outside the walls, for last. On the way out, the village of Eleutherna, with its archaeological site and museum, is about 15 minutes by car.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mosteiro de Arkadi (Moni Arkadiou)
What happened at the monastery of Arkadi in 1866?
During the uprising against the Ottomans, hundreds of Cretans took refuge in the fortified monastery. When the walls fell, the gunpowder magazine was detonated, and the explosion killed refugees and attackers. The episode became a symbol of Crete's struggle for freedom.
How to get to the monastery of Arkadi without a car?
By KTEL bus from Rethymno, with few departures per day, or on an organised tour. Check the timetables at the station before you go.
Does the monastery of Arkadi still have monks?
Yes, a few. It's an active monastery, open to visitors during the day, with a church, museum and shop.
What is the ossuary of Arkadi?
The old windmill outside the walls, where the skulls and bones of those who died in 1866 are kept, some with bullet and sword marks.