Holy Monastery of Arkadi

Arkadi Monastery

The Holy Monastery of Arkadi in Rethymnon Crete is a place of special historical interest, known for the events that took place during the revolution of 1866.
This holy place has been well-known from the events of November 1866, when Crete had rebelled against the Turks, dominating the island for the past 200 years.
When the Turkish soldiers violated the monastery after many hours of siege, the besiegers with a monk as leader put on fire a room filled with gunpowder. The explosion, which killed all the people inside the monastery and most of the Turkish soldiers, was a desperate act of the besiegers to remain free and not fall in the hands of their enemies.

Ceramic Village

Margarites

The village of Margarites, is 30 km south east from Rethymnon town in the centre of the island of Crete. It is well known for its pottery.
The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and you will be able to find an elder to show you how the pots are hand thrown.
The village, which has some extraordinary architecture and lovely narrow winding streets, is well worth exploring.

Sacred Cretan Destination

The cave of Melidoni, also known as Gerontospilios, is in itself a natural wonder worthy of admiration.
Apart from its natural beauty, however, it is also of significant archaeological and historical interest.In the more recent history of the cave, it was used by rebels and villagers as a refuge during the Turkish occupation.
Unfortunately, in October 1823, the Ottomans took over the village and the locals retreated inside the cave. Some 370 men, women, and children, as well as 30 rebels, managed to survive in the cave for more than three months until the Ottoman fury finally led to their demise.

Fortezza, the citadel of rethymnon

The Fortezza is the citadel of the city of Rethymno in Crete, Greece.
It was built by the Venetians in the 16th century, and was captured by the Ottomans in 1646.
By the early 20th century, many houses were built within the citadel. These were demolished after World War II, leaving only a few historic buildings within the Fortezza.

Where A river flows into the sea

Geropotamos beach is a beautiful cove located 18 km east of Rethymno town right off the National Highway that leads to Heraklion.
This beach owes its name to Geropotamos river, which flows into this sea.
The beach lies beneath Geropotamos bridge and can be easily accessed by car.
Deep and really clean waters
Enjoy a meal or a coctail by the sea

Small Rocky Bay with caves

Spilies or “Tou Maliou to Riaki” is located 15km east of Rethymnon city, in a quiet area, just a few kilometers east of and west of Geropotamos.
It is formed in a small rocky bay with a pebbly beach and crystal clear deep waters, protected by vertical cliffs.
Characteristic of the cove are the beautiful cavernous rocks that protect the small beach on the west.
Beyond the west and the east end of the beach, there are several sea caves and rocks with amazing formations. A part of the east caves collapsed in winter 2011-12.