Tour from RETHYMNON-Monastery of Arkadi & Ancient Eleftherna

The monastery of Arkadi is built on a low rocky plateau, 23 kilometers south east of the town of Rethymnon. Burned in 1866 by the Turks, it has become the islands's most famous monastery, standing as a memorial to the fight for freedom from the Turkish occupation. Built towards the end of the Venetian period, its numerous buildings give the impression of a fortress like structure, where people could find refuge in troubled time of the past. You will be guided through the main buildings where the cells, stables and the warehouses where agricultural products were treated and stored, are housed. The excursion continues to ancient Eleftherna, built on two long narrow ridges called Pyrgi and Nissi. Excavations begun in 1929 by the British Archaeological School and were followed by a more systematic work carried out by the department of Archaeology and Art History of the University of Crete in 1985. Unearthed ruins of Hellenistic walls, Roman buildings, an Early Christian Basilica and burial grounds can be seen. You will have the opportunity to visit the site on a guided tour before you return to Rethymnon.