ARKADI MONASTERY, MARGARITES, MELIDONI CAVE
In the footsteps of history and craftsmanship.A trip to the past in the heart of the island: Heading east, passing Rethymnon, at the foot of the Ida mountains lies the Arkadiou Monastery, the holiest place in Crete, lonely in the valley! The heroic rebellion against the Ottoman Empire began here in 1866. Thanks to the bravery and sacrifice of the Cretans, Arkadi was recognized worldwide as a symbol of freedom!We continue northeast passing Psiloritis, the highest mountain of Crete. Welcome to Margarites, a village straight out of a fairy tale. The whole village makes pottery! Handicraft is an ancient tradition here. Stroll through the colorfully decorated alleys and enjoy typical Cretan cuisine in the village square.High on the hill of the Mylopotamos valley you can see the Melidoni stalactite cave, which is about 200 million years old. In addition to the impressive stalactites and stalagmites, you can admire strange wall paintings from the Hellenistic era to the 20th century. In ancient times, the Greek gods were worshiped here, especially Hermes!
