Aivazovsky’s painting of Arkadi Monastery’s 1866 explosion returns to the site for the first time

The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Arkadi, near Rethymno, opened an exhibition on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 2, 2026, featuring the painting “The Blowing Up of the Monastery of Arkadi” by the Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky. The work is normally kept at the Nafplion Annex of the National Gallery – Alexandros Soutzos Museum.

According to the monastery, the display marks the first time the painting has been shown at the historic site that inspired its subject matter, making the exhibition a notable cultural event for the region. Visitors exploring experiences in Crete now have the chance to see the work in its original historical context.

The opening ceremony was coordinated by Archimandrite Theologos Papalevyzakis, a member of the Abbey Council of the Holy Monastery of Arkadi. Attendees included local authorities and security officials from Rethymno, university representatives, and figures from the cultural and academic community.

Art historian highlights the painting’s significance

The event’s main speaker was Lamprini Karakourti-Orfanopoulou, an art historian, curator and head of the National Gallery’s Nafplion Annex. She spoke about the artistic value of the painting and the significance of presenting it at the Monastery of Arkadi itself, organizers said.

Before the exhibition opened, Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos delivered closing remarks thanking the organizing committee, the National Gallery and Karakourti-Orfanopoulou for approving the request to bring the painting to its physical setting for the first time. He said Arkadi would continue to inspire “every sensitive soul and every struggle for freedom,” according to the monastery’s account of the event.

Metropolitan Prodromos, together with the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Arkadi, Archimandrite Titos Vamvakas, then presented commemorative and anniversary gifts.

Painting on view for three months

Following the ceremony, the painting was presented at the monastery’s own gallery, where attendees viewed the work up close and, organizers said, expressed admiration for its artistic and spiritual value.

The painting will remain at the Holy Monastery of Arkadi for three months, the Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos said. The Metropolis has invited visitors interested in art and culture to see the work at the site tied to its historical subject, one of several events in Crete planned for the coming months. Those exploring the wider region can find more on places in Crete connected to the island’s history.