Κρητη

Kríti - Crete


The Hellenic Speleological Society has recorded over 3.000 caves in Crete, this is 30% of all Greek caves! On Crete is also the deepest cave of Greece, Tafkos Cave near Petradolakia, which is 475 m deep.

Many caves on Crete are of archaeological, paleontological and historical interest. Man used the caves as places of worship and as dwellings from the Paleolithic Era on. The Minoans were worshiping their gods in small palatial or house shrines, in sacred caves and in shrines built on mountain peaks. And the caves are used for worship until today, many caves contain hermitages and churches, are named after a saint or contain a christian altar.

The caves are found all over the island, but most of them are located around the Lassithi Plateau in the center of the island.

Sights of This Region

Literature