Arkadi Monastery

The Arkadi Monastery (Greek Μονή Αρκαδίου ) is the most important national monument in Crete. It played a prominent role in the Cretan struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. The monastery church was mapped to the valid until the introduction of euro 100 drachma bill.

Location

The monastery is located in the Regional District of Rethymno about 25 km south of the city of Rethymno in West Crete at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level on the foothills of the Psiloritismassives.

History

According to tradition, the Monastery of Arkadi from Byzantine Emperor Arcadius in the 5th century was built. However, scientists tend to go from the foundation of the same name by a monk. The name of the monastery is occupied by an inscription at least for the 14th century. The two-aisled, Renaissance elements having basilica was built in 1587 at the time of the Venetian rule of Crete and is the reconstruction of an earlier church. Until the 17th century, the monastery had its spiritual and cultural heyday.

After the conquest of Crete completed in 1669 by the Ottoman Empire, the monastery was looted. The monks arrived but after their subjugation permission to return to Arkadi and the right to strike the bell. The monastery was restored and rebuilt the destroyed fence again. In 1760 lived on Crete 200,000 Muslims and 60,000 Christians.

After 1830 a part of the present-day territory of Greece 's independence from the Ottoman Empire had been awarded, intensified. Crete, the resistance against the perceived as an occupying Ottoman rule 1866 Revolutionary Committee was formed in Arkadi monastery. Elected chairman of the investigating committee of the Rethymno region originating from the nearby Margarites Abbot of Arkadi, Gabriel Marinakis (* 1826 ), was elected. In Arkadi was founded in September 1866 and the person appointed by the Greek mainland General Panos Koronaios (* 1809), the military commander of the uprising in the region Rethymno used. Koronaios assessed the monastery as indefensible, but he could with this view against the majority of the revolutionary committees not prevail. The General then left with his men the monastery, but left a lieutenant back as a military leader.

On the night of 7 to November 8, 1866 an Ottoman army attacked with 15,000 men to the monastery, in which 964 people, including 325 battle-ready men were staying. After two days of futile resistance decided the besieged, not wanting to fall alive into the hands of the enemy. When the battle had moved on 9 November in the courtyard of the monastery, withdrew most of the remaining survivors, including women and children, in the powder magazine back, which was blown up by one of the fighters. In the violent explosion came down to one surviving girls all individuals and dozens therein invading Turkish soldiers killed. 114 defenders were taken prisoner. Allegedly died in 1500 at the siege of the attacker Arkadi Monastery. The abbot died probably in the final stages of the fight. The often implemented in the form of illustrations tradition, he had even ignited the powder magazine, is probably incorrect.

The circumstances of the case of the convent attracted international attention. Among other things, Victor Hugo and Giuseppe Garibaldi insured the Cretans their solidarity. In 1866, however, were in Europe other events on the agenda. It was not until 1897 Crete de facto became independent in 1913 there was a merger with Greece.

1937 a stone slab with an inscription was placed to commemorate the events of 1866 in the east wall of the monastery. The plate is now placed in the partially rebuilt powder magazine.

" This flame, which was kindled in this crypt and the glorious Crete illuminated from one end to the other, was a flame of God, in which the Cretans burned for freedom. "