The monastery’s of Arkadi  present katholikon was built in 1587, but there was probably an earlier 14th century temple. The Monastery of Arkadi was was a wealthy monastic complex, in which there was a center for the replication of Greek manuscripts and a lab of embroidery. A major strategic monastery, which suffered the Holocaust of 1866 during the revolution against the Turks.

The collections of the Arkadi Monastery include: Collection of Cretan icons, ecclesiastical books and manuscripts, ecclesiastical heirlooms and monks.

The most important exhibits of the Monastery are: Bimothyra with a representation of Evangelismos and the Apostles Peter and Paul (15th century), Agios Ioannis Prodromos (late 16th century), Christ enthroned (1631), Agios Georgios Kefaloforos (17th century).