Greece 2 Euro 2016 Arkadi Monestary

This 2016 Greek 2 Euro coin has the theme of the Arkadi Monastery. This monastery was originally a Byzantine church and probably named after Emperor Arkadios. The Arkadia Monastery is centrally located in the island of Crete. It was the only monastery in Crete where bells could sound. In the year 1866 the Cretans fought an independence struggle against the Turks. The insurgents retreated into the Arkadia Monastery and gathered as much powder as possible. Because they knew they would be killed by the Turks, they decided to blow themselves up. This happened on November 8, 1866. In 1898 Crete was still independent and in the year 1913 became part of the country of Greece. To commemorate the fact that 2016 marks 150 years ago, that the Cretan insurgents were blown up, Greece has issued a special 2 Euro coin. On the coin is a frontal image of the Arkadi Monastery. On the left side of the coin is the Greek text Greece Democracy. On the top right the year 2016, and at the bottom of the coin the Greek text "Arkadi Mo nastery" are shown. In the outer ring are the 12 stars of Europe.