Near Rethymno, in the heart of Crete, a slope was chosen in the shadow of the sacred mountain Ida, covered with beautiful pine forests, as the site of the Arkadi Monastery during the early Christian years. The accessible roads and the surrounding area have been generously endowed by Mother Nature, history, and culture, preparing the traveler, visitor, and pilgrim for the magnificent sight of the Monastery they will encounter. A monument of architecture, culture, and history, this Monastery, with the imposing façade of its church, its rich spiritual tradition, its wealth of artistic creation, and its pivotal role in the historical developments in Crete during the 19th century, has made it a lasting symbol of freedom and heroism with global resonance.