Rethymnon Prefecture, Crete Island

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This monastery was probably founded in 14th century. In 1866 it served as a stronghold for hundreds of Cretese. In fact they choose the gunpowder store of the monastery as a shelter to protect against the Turks attaks. These people were surrounded by the Turkish army that lay siege for two days. At last this shelter was exploded on the order of the abbot. Many Cretese were killed and also a large number of Turks.

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From Matala we took the road to Agia Galini, this is not far from Matala but we cross the border so to speak from the prefecture of Heraklion into Rethymnon. After Agia Galini we follow the road sign posted for Rethymnon. We come to the town of Spili which is very high up in the mountains and the day we were there it was raining lightly while down below the temperatures were melting and not a cloud to be seen. Spili has a large fountain with 25 outlets of water coming from the mouths of carved lions heads. The water is sweet and cold to drink. The village is very picturesque and a bit touristy but a lovely place to stop if out driving.

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Mony Arkadi is a 16 th century monastery located 23 km South- East from the town of Rethymno.

The history of the monastery goes back to Byzantine times, when a monk, possibly named Arkadios, founded the monastery which in turn was named after him.

Mony Arkadi, built during the las Venetian period, it is one the most famous monastery of Crete due to the holocaust it suffered in 1866 when hundreds of Cretan fighters and their families died while they were taking refuge in it from The Turkish army.

The History tell us that when the Turkish and the Egypcian forces surrounded the monastery (15,000 men), the Cretan refugees refused to surrender. When the walls came tumbling down and the Turks began the massacre, one of the rebels, Kostis Giamboudakis, blew the gunpowder store. The massive explosion killed all the refugees along with several hundred Turkish soldiers and reduced the monastery to a pile of rubble.

This heroic feat is considered one of the greatest in Cretan history and has turned Arkadi Monastery into one of Europe's Monuments to Freedom.

Many efforts have been made for the restoration of the monastery in the last years.
Nowadays, there are still monks living in the monastery; they take care of the church and the surrounding buildings as well as the small museum where many impressive relics of the 1866 holocaust and some beutiful icons are kept.
In the museum you can also buy very good copied icons made in the traditional way and many other religious items.

Tip under construction!

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On the way from Rethymno to Plakias, you will get through the Kourtalioti Gorge. The gorge owes its name to the noise that sounds when the wind blows. Amazing during the day and unbelievable magic at night!!! Look at the sky and let me know...

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Plakias is a coastal village, 40 km South from Rethymno, built at the cove of the bay of the same name on a wonderful sandy beach.
The natural beauty of the place helped Plakias to became a renowned tourist resort now providing all the facilities that a visitor cold wish.
Large hotels, youth hostel, small traditional style apartments, camping site, traditional taverns, restaurants, bars...
There are many small secluded baches for the naturalism lovers as well as some organized ones providing quite few facilities such as chairs, umbrellas, sea sports...

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This is an extremely scenic and nice place for a walk. Take a picnic and have a little lunch next to the waterfalls. Don't forget your camera. Do wear sturdy shoes. Take your time and enjoy nature. Light a candle for your loved ones and peace in the small church, Agios Nikolas, the patron saint of all sailors:):)( which is why there are so many churches named Agios Nikolas in Greece...as it is a well known fact that Greece is a nation of seafarers!

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You will see many gorges in Crete, but the Kourtaliotis is easy to pass through as you can drive you car. Be sure to drive carefully and do watch for falling rocks. The Creten drivers are used to these roads and so I would advise that you give them the right of way when travelling for the first time on such roads. Don't be too shocked if some driver goes wizzing by, seemingly oblivious of the dangers of the sharp curves! Many of these drivers will have had their share of crashes...some never to return! I recently met a young man who had a very vivid scar outlining his handsome face. Of course you know the answer to the question..he had driven over the side of a cliff one dark, drunken night and only his youth and good health had saved him! He told me that it took him 4 hours to drag himself up to the top of the road where if he had not managed, for sure he would not have been found before he had died! What a crazy way to live. I asked him if he drove any differently after his brush with death and his answer was typical of many young greek men; 'No, of course not!'

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Crete is full of contrasting and rugged scenery. One of the best and easiest drives to see the huge rock formations and experience the beauty of Crete is to drive from Rethymnon to the Southern part of the island to Plakias and Preveli.

You trip will begin from the centre of Rethymnon, where you must ask any local where the road to Plakias is. It's quite simple, but much easier to show you when you are there than trying to describe the way from these pages. Don't worry though, every person from Rethymnon can show you the way and most everyone speaks English!

Once you are on the road, just keep driving south and follow the signs to Plakias or Preveli. You will certainly want to stop along the way and take photos. At one point, there is a sign indicating that there is a church, Agious Nikolas, down some stone steps!

Get out of your car, be sure you wearing good walking shoes, and venture down those steps. Just keep going! It may seem a long way at first, but there is a lovely little church at the end of the steps. Not only a church, but the beginning of a fantastic river that is surging with such power from the rocks and cascading down waterfalls through green foliage. Absolutely worth the walk both down and up!