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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 19 March 2007 |
 Arkadi. A monument of faith and of national resistance of the Cretan people. The Arkadi monastery is one of the most known and spectacular of crete.The building is a perfect example of the monastery architecture as it evolved in day of venice occupation.It is built on a hill at 500m altitute. The history of the monastery probably starts on the Bizantine empire years.
The first written testimony is a sign from the 14 or 15 century. The head monk, Klimis Xortatzis became very interested on that sigh.In his days the small temple was brought down and a new one, the one we see today, was builted. At the base of the bell tower you can still see the date, 1587. In the 16 century the monastery was a centre of art and culture. There was a school, copy handbook laboratory and a rich library, including book of ancient writers. After 1646 the spiritual offer of the monastery decreased very much. It was occupied bu the turks and plundered. But after it was the only monastery to have permition using bells! During tirkish occupation the monastery grow up again and became rich. On 1821 it was occupied by Gentim Ali but a young monk spread the word to the chiefs of the cretan rebellion and a battle was fough, were many turk including their chief were killed. On 1866 it was the home base of the cretan revolutionary comition, that wanted freedom for the island and to unite with greece mainland. It became a refuge for 600 women and children and 300 warriors. On the night from 8 to 9 november of 1866 a battle was fought. The siege of the monastery fron 15000 turks on heavy equipment started. When the walls started to break and the turks invaded the courtyard the hand of a bold cretan puted fire to the wepon storage where everybody was hiding. The terrible blast killed everyone inside and many turks as well. Only a little girl was saved by miracle. The blast throw her on the top of a tree. This is a major event of the history of crete and its battles for liberation. Today is a european monument of freedom and on stable maintenance. In the museum we can find many items of that days, including weapons, papers and other artifacts.
End of Arkadi article
One person has commented on this article. Quote(1) seems great2007-06-15 16:38:03 seems great J! Reactions • General Site LicenseCopyright © 2006 S. A. DeCaro |
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