The Arkadi Monastery known as Moni Arkadhi in Greek, contains one of the finest Venetian churches on Crete. During the 1866 rebellion, nearly 300 guerrilla fighters and some 700 women and children took refuge in the monastery, but were killed in a massive explosion staged by the Turks. Although the Turks set fire to the Church, its lovely facade of golden stone survived.

To the left of the church is the Refectory, where 36 freedom fighters were massacred. You can still see sword marks on the long wooden table and benches.

There is a small museum which houses historic items from the monastery, including a fragment of the Sacred Banner and the battered old refectory door with visible bullet holes.