Arvi is a seaside village in the municipality of Viannos in the prefecture of Heraklion. Situated in a verdant bananas valley next to the South Cretan Sea, in a distance of 78.5 km from Heraklion.
The main occupation of the inhabitants is the cultivation of vegetables (mainly tomatoes) and bananas, while many tourists visit its sandy beach, during the summer months. Arvi has many rooms to let, hotels, restaurants and cafés. The central church of the village is Saint Panteleimonas and there is also a local clinic.
At the bottom of the valley is situated the imposing Arvi Gorge. There is a spring with plenty of water from which the whole area with the bananas is irrigated. Eastward the gorge, stands the Monastery of St. Anthony, which was recently built.
Historical data
The Monastery of Agios Antonios was built on the site of the Greek period temple of “Arvios Zeus”.
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as illustrated by the remains and shells that have been discovered. Clay and stone pots, seals and more objects, were also found there, while tombs, dating from the Byzantine period, were found at the position of Kissopotamos.
Near the shore was found a marble sarcophagus with relief procession of Dionysus, where Dionysus is represented with the vine in a chariot. The sarcophagus is on display at the Fitch-William Museum.
