Rethymnon Churches & Monasteries - Arkadi Monastery in Rethymnon, Crete is a highly revered shrine, noted for its pivotal role in the Greek struggle for national independence against Turkish invasion. With origins dating back to the 9th century, the current Arkadi Monastery was established in the 14th century and is located 23 kilometers southwest of Rethymno, rising to an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level. The monastery is renowned for its impressive size and fortress-like walls. Its significance was cemented in November 1866, when Crete rebelled against Turkish rule, leading to a siege of the monastery. The besiegers, led by a monk, set a room filled with gunpowder on fire, resulting in a massive explosion that tragically claimed all lives inside the monastery and many Turkish soldiers. This act remains a symbol of Cretan liberation and has made the Monastery of Arkadi one of the most famous in Crete.

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