Caves

Matala

THE CAVES. They were apparently used as dwelling places by prehistoric people. Many of them contained rock-hewn tombs dating to the Graeco-Roman times and the Early Christian period.

Arkalochori

THE MINOAN SANCTUARY-CAVE, wherefrom ample ceramic findings were unearthed, is located in the area. Particularly impressive are the votive offerings --probably to some war deity-- including swords, knives and a series of gold, silver and bronze double-bit axes, some of which bear engraved decoration. Also, there are signs hinting at the
cave's violent destruction at the outset of the Late Minoan Period.

 

Zaros - Kamares

KAMARES CAVE, NE of the Kamares village, is sited on the southern slope of Mount Ida (or Psiloritis) at an elevation of 1520 m (the ascend to it necessitates 1 h). The cave was discovered in 1890 by a villager, while excavations conducted later (1913) by British archaeologists yielded important Minoan findings; among the latter the most outstanding ones were abundant quantities of the famous Kamares ware, multicolored pottery of the Middle Minoan period. Exquisite examples of this style of pottery were also found at the great palaces of Knossos and Phaestus. They are presently on display at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. The cave, which served as a dwelling to Neolithic people, was dedicated to the worship of the great Minoan deity. A visit to the cave entails a long ascending walk.

 

Karteros - Amnissos

ELITHYIA CAVE (1 km S of Amnissos). The cave, mention of which is made in Homer, constituted one of the major places of worship of Elithyia, the Cretan goddess of childbirth. It was discovered in the late 19th century, it is oblong (60 m long and 9 to 12 m wide), and is known to local inhabitants as "Neraidospelios" (i.e. the cave of the fairy).
Excavations conducted by archaeologists Hatzidakis and Marinatos revealed that it was a cult site from the Neolithic period until the 5th century BC (ceramic findings are representative of all periods). Almost in the center of the cave, there is a rectangular altar or nave, around two cylindrical stalagmites that are evocative of human figures.

 

SOURCE: Greek National Tourism Organization