Σπηλιά του Κενταύρου Χείρωνα

Cave of Centaur Chiron


Useful Information

Location: Sipiada 370 13.
(39.1802623, 23.2251599)
Open: no restrictions.
[2025]
Fee: free.
[2025]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave KarstCollapse Doline
Light: bring torch
Dimension:  
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Cave of Centaur Chiron, Sipiada 370 13, Tel: +30-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

Σπηλιά του Κενταύρου Χείρωνα (Cave of Centaur Chiron) is named after Chiron the son of Saturn. He belonged to the first generation of gods and heroes and was immortal. He transformed himself into a horse and got united with Phikyra. One day he was injured by a poisoned arrow and got very sick. Zeus allowed him to die, but he did not go to the Underworld, instead he became a constellation in the sky named Centaurus or Sagittarius.

This cave is located high up the hill above the sea. The beach below is named Βαθιά Σπηλιά (Vathia Spilia, Deep Cave) after the cave. It is located on the western coast of the Pelion mountains peninsula, right north of the village Μηλίνα (Milina). The entrance is reached on a 100 m long steep hike uphill, 10 to 15 m hike. The entrance offers a great view.

The Cave of Centaur Chiron is actually not a cave, it is a collapse doline. The cave ceiling has collapsed, forming a vertical shaft, which has vertical or even overhanging walls on three sides. The fourth side has a steep slope of debris from the ceiling. A path winds down this slope in serpentines to the bottom of the shaft. Be careful when walking through the bushes, they are full of huge spiders. We strongly recommend long trousers. The overhanging parts, remains of the cave ceiling, show numerous stalactites. This cave is certainly one of the most spectacular semi-wild caves that can be visited with relatively little difficulty.

Normally its impossible or at least quite dangerous to visit such vertical shafts. The trail is not comfortable, but it does also not require any climbing skills. The cave seems to be quite popular, not only signs to the cave and educational signs with explanations in Greek and English exist. There are also a great number of "artworks". The signs show a red centaur, there are altars with colorful scarves, and numerous stone towers. And there are (modern) cave paintings, some resembling neolithic paintings, others showing centaurs of mystic animals. There are patterns, dots, spirals and ancient symbols in variosu colours.