Arkadi Monastery

Ce monastère orthodoxe perdu au milieu de nulle part comme beaucoup des sites crêtes est l’un de lieux sacrés les plus importants de l’île et est mondialement connu pour le drame qui y eut lieu pendant l’Insurrection Crétoise contre l’occupation turque en 1866. En effet, plus de 900 Grecs s’y réfugièrent et préférèrent se sacrifier en se faisant sauter avec des barils de poudre plutôt que de se rendre aux turcs. En face du monastère se trouve d’ailleurs le macabre ossuaire, où vous pouvez voir plusieurs cranes conservés dans une grande armoire au vitres transparentes. Le monastère regroupe différents bâtiments dont une grande partie sont ouverts à la visite. A côté de la belle église du XVIe siècle se trouve un vieux cyprès dans lequel est encore plantée une douille turque, indiquée par une flèche. Le monastère possède également une petite boutique et un petit musée avec de belles reproductions d’icones peintes à la main.

The Orthodox monastery lost in the middle of nowhere as many peaks sites is one of the most important sacred places of the island and is known worldwide for the tragedy that took place there during the Cretan insurrection against the Turkish occupation in 1866. Indeed, more than 900 Greeks took refuge there and preferred to sacrifice himself by blowing up with powder kegs rather than surrender to the Turks. In front of the monastery is also the macabre ossuary, where you can see several cranes kept in a large wardrobe in transparent glass. The monastery includes several buildings, including a large portion are open to visitors. Beside the beautiful sixteenth century church is an old cypress which is still stuck in a Turkish socket, indicated by an arrow. The monastery also has a small shop and a small museum with beautiful reproductions of icons painted by hand.

Il Monastero di Arkadi, il più famoso e caratteristico di Creta, è situato in posizione scenografica nell’interno dell’isola e rappresenta uno dei più particolari stili architettonici presenti a Creta, oltre all’importante significato storico che riveste. La facciata della chiesa, particolarmente decorata, rappresenta l’elemento di spicco del monastero, di origini veneziane, con la caratteristica torre campanaria. Il monastero rappresenta oggi un santuario nazionale della lotta d’indipendenza, in quanto qui si rifugiarono molti cretesi che, presi d’assedio dai turchi, fecero esplodere la polveriera uccidendo sia loro stessi che i conquistatori. L’ingresso al sito è a pagamento (€ 3) ed include un piccolo museo.

The Arkadi Monastery, the most famous and characteristic of Crete, is situated in a scenic location in the interior of the island and is one of the most unique architectural styles present in Crete, in addition to the important historical significance that covers it. The facade of the church, especially decorated, is the prominent feature of the monastery, of Venetian origin, with the characteristic bell tower. The monastery is now a national shrine of the independence struggle, as many Cretans took refuge here that, taken siege by the Turks, the powder magazine exploded, killing both themselves and the conquerors. The entrance to the site is a fee (€ 3) and includes a small museum.

Le monastère d'Arkadi revêt une importance capitale dans l'histoire de la Crète . Un millier de femmes et d'enfants s'y réfugièrent en 1866. Assiégés par les Turcs ils se donnèrent la mort en faisant sauter la poudrière. On visite cette dernière, ainsi qu'en dehors du monastère un ossuaire. Mais, de nos jours, Arkadi offre aussi une image riante et fleurie : magnifique église, pope accueillant au guichet (et oui il faut débourser quelques euros mais un intéressant musée est compris dans la visite). Endroit très célèbre : les touristes viennent en nombre.

Arkadi Monastery is of paramount importance in the history of Crete. One thousand women and children took refuge in 1866. Besieged by the Turks they killed themselves by blowing the powder keg. On this last visit, as well as outside the monastery ossuary. But nowadays, Arkadi also offers a cheerful image and flowers: beautiful church, pope welcoming at the counter (and yes it costs a few dollars but interesting museum is included in the tour). Very famous place: tourists come in numbers.