Panorama of the Week: Crete’s Arkadi Monastery
Filed Under: Almost exactly one year ago, we visited the island of Crete. The “crisis” was in full tilt, demonstrations were plenty in Athens and around Greece, and we were just into the shoulder season (mid-October). It seemed like we had much of the island to ourselves, including lonely little Arkadi Monastery perched on a hill in Crete’s Amari Valley.
The monastery facade you see in the panorama below dates back to the 16th century. Look closely, though, and you’ll see that it is strewn with bullet holes from a 150 years ago, a symbol of Cretan resistance and independence.
In 1866, almost 1,000 people, mostly women and children, took refuge at the Arkadi Monastery during the Cretan revolt against their Ottoman rulers. After three days of heavy fighting, the Cretans chose to die fighting rather than to surrender. As the story goes, when the Turkish forces tried to force themselves into the wine cellar-turned-rebel munitions room, the abbot set fire to all the barrels of gunpowder, wiping out the Cretan rebel forces and taking as many Ottoman soldiers as possible with them along the way.
When we paid a visit to Arkadi, the monastery’s tragic history was only a backdrop. There was an air of jovial hospitality as cheerful caretakers brought out local wine in plastic bottles to share with us in the late morning. We exchanged today’s stories, toasted to everyone’s health, and hoped for the young man of the group to find a good wife.
Some things are universal, timeless.
Thankfully, you could say the same of life on Crete. It seems that life has never been easy on the island, but Cretans have carved their way through it, enjoying their slice — and the little things — along the way.
When we departed, the caretakers insisted we take a bottle of wine — a taste of the Cretan spirit — with us for the road.
Panorama: Arkadi Monastery, Crete
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Disclosure: Our trip to Crete is supported by Visit Greece. Most but not all expenses have been paid for. As always, the opinions expressed here are entirely our own.
October 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Amazing! Arkadi Monastery, Crete is definitely beautiful. Hope to see Greece soon
October 22nd, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Your panoramas are always superb and do a great job in convincing someone to visit the destination. Greece is right up there are the top of my to-visit list. I can’t wait to get my fill of the ancient architecture and history.
October 24th, 2012 at 10:03 am
I like how you shot the panorama of Crete’s Arkadi Monastery. I wonder how this look like way back to 16 century and how Greece were like back then.
October 25th, 2012 at 6:38 am
@Jam: From what I hear, there’s no time like the present to visit Greece
@Addison: Crete (and Greece in general) definitely doesn’t disappoint when it comes to architecture and history. What was interesting on Crete was learning about the distinct local culture and history – quite different from other parts of Greece.
@Steve: Agree, would be lots of fun to see it in the original form and what life was like at that time. If only we time travel was possible…
October 30th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
I was on Crete a few years ago and total missed this monastery. What a shame
Guess I’ll have to go back!
November 13th, 2012 at 5:08 am
@Stephen: Arkadi Monastery is a little bit tucked away in the hills of central Crete, so I guess it’s not so difficult to miss. Definitely worth checking out on your next visit to Crete.
November 18th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
Greece is on of my favorite destinations despite of the present economic situation is still worth a visit.
That panoramic view is great would like to know how it’s done.