His monastery occupies an important role in the history of Crete, hence momentum to win independence from the island under Ottoman domination for over two centuries. In 1866, Arkadi Monastery was used as a place of refuge for the Cretan rebels.
Central church of the monastery dating from the fourteenth century, but significant work of building and building were made in the sixteenth century. Church is tributary Baroque architectural style, western style renaissance, rarely met in the island of Crete. Demolished by the Turks in 1866, the church will be rebuilt in a while afterward. The church has two ships symmetrical, situated in the center courtyard. The whole set of Arkadi monastery is surrounded by a strong wall of defense, which gives an air of a fortress.