Σπηλαιο του Γερανιου

Spilaio tou Geraniou - Gerani Cave


Useful Information

Location: Gerani Village is 6 km west of Rethymno, Crete
Open: Locked. Ask in village for key.
[2008]
Fee: free.
[2008]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave
Light: bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1969 discovered by workmen building the main coastal highway.

Description

The cave is at the end of the Gerani Gorge and contains some important archaeological finds including the bones of deer, elephant and other animals. Other finds include, two human skeletons, pottery and stone jewellery from the Neolithic Period. The finds are on display in the Rethymno Museum.

The natural entrance had been blocked by fallen rock, presumably during an earthquake. The cave was opened up by road making and when the original entrance was located it was found that there was a trace of a flight Minoan steps leading up to it. The cave is divided up into five large chambers richly adorned with speleothems.


Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.