Rethymno, in the heart of Crete, was already chosen in the early Christian era as the site for the Arkadi Monastery, set on the high plains in the shadow of the pine trees and the sacred Mount Idi. The routes to the monastery and the region itself are rich in natural beauty, history, and culture.

All of this inspires the traveler, visitor, or pilgrim and prepares them for an impressive and interesting sight. The monastery is an architectural, cultural, and historical monument; the majestic façade of the monastery church, the elevated spiritual tradition, the many artistic creations, and especially the role the monastery played in the historical evolution of 19th-century Crete—all of this has made Arkadi a global symbol, the symbol of freedom and heroism.