Monastery of Arkadi
According to the inscription, which has been preserved on the
frontal support of the belfry, the church was built in
1587 that is during the period of the Venetian occupation on
Crete. This explains the plethora of architectural elements of the
Renaissance, which the visitor will notice at first sight. The
impressing facade of the church is divided into two sections. The
lower section reveals four pairs of columns of Gothic style with
Roman elements. Above the Corinthian capitals of the columns a
Corinthian entablature can be seen, whilst in between the columns
there are three semi-circular arches supported by pilasters. The
two corner arches include a circular opening in the centre, the
perimeter of which is ornamented with an anthemion. The second
section of the facade, that which is extending above the Corinthian
entablature, includes a variety of mouldings and ellipsoid openings
which are set exactly above the circular openings of the lower
section
The harmonic arrangement of various architectural elements such
as Gothic arches and pinnacles, anthemia of the Renaissance,
Corinthian mouldings of the late Renaissance and baroque volutes
not only makes this façade most impressive, but it also gives
evidence of the fact that the architect of the Arkadi Monastery was
influenced by the work of architects of the Renaissance,
particularly by that of Sebastiano Serlio and Andrea Palladio.
25 km from the town of Rethymno, at the north-west foot of
Psiloritis and at an altitude of approximately 500 m, the Holy
Monastery of Arkadi is situated. There are various routes leading
to the monastery, each of which is of particular naturalist and
historical interest. According to records the Byzantine Emperor
Heraklios founded the Holy Monastery of Arkadi, whereas the Emperor
Arkadios, whose name was taken by the monastery, carried out its
construction during the 5th century. However, scientists support
the opinion that both the monastery's foundation and its name are
owed to a monk called Arkadios. Inscriptions testify that the
two-aisled church in the centre of the monastery was built in 1587
and dedicated to Aghios Konstantinos and the Transfiguration of the
Saviour. Other inscriptions show that there had existed another
church dating back to the 14th century, previous to the church of
present day, the restoration of which resulted in the present day
church.The nave is situated in the centre of the square ground plan
of the complex, around which the monk cells and outbuildings of the
monastery are built. The Monastery of Arkadi became beyond any
doubt the symbol of self-sacrifice and freedom during the
revolution of 1866-1869, particularly since the besieged
inhabitants sacrificed themselves and preferred to die rather than
to surrender to the Turks. The brave hand of Kostis Giampoudakis
from the village of Adele did not hesitate to set fire to the
ammunition chamber, where the besieged had gathered, thus blowing
up the entire monastery and turning it into a symbol of bravery and
freedom. The sacred banner of the revolution as well as other
relics such as monastery utensils, gold embroidered vestments and
weapons are on exhibition in the Monastery Museum.
