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Caves
The Greek Speleological Society has recorded over 3.000 caves
in Crete. Not only astounding examples of nature's talent for
interior decoration, many of them are also of great scientific
value, being of archaeological, paleontological and historical
interest.
Man used caves as places of worship and as dwellings from the
Palaeolithic era onwards. The Minoans began the custom of
worshipping their gods in small palatial or house shrines, in
sacred caves and in shrines built on mountain peaks and the tops
of hills.
The Cave of
Sentoni Zoniana.
This is Crete's richest Cave in terms of natural decoration. It
lies in the District of Rethymno, 13 km west of Anogia and 1 km
from the village of loniana at an altitude of 800 m.
The Diktaian Cave (Dikteon
Andron) The legendary birthplace of Zeus, this cave can be
reached by going to the outskirts of the village of Psihro
(48 km east of Iraklio and 52 km west of Agios Nikolaos), where
there is a path ascending to it. Significant archaeological
finds indicate that the Cavewas long a place of cult worship.
One can go from the village to the cave on foot or by mule
or
donkey, which can be rented from the locals. The descent info
the fascinating cave demands some caution. Stalactites of
various shapes adorn the lower cave. The
Ikaian Cave (Idoen
Andron). 20 km south of Anogia on the upland plain of Nidas,
on Mount Psiloritis, lies this sacred Cave where
according to mythology Rhea hid the baby Zeus from the murderous
Kronos. Cult objects have been found here, along with statues
and bronze shields and other finds now on display in the Iraklio
Archaeological Museum. The
Caveof Eileithyia (Ilithiia).
This cave was used for cult rituals from the Neolithic era
up to the 5th century B.C. Lying 1 km south of
Amnissos, it was sacred to Eileithyia, the goddess of
childbirth. Archaeological investigations here uncovered idols
of woman in the act of giving birth, nursing or praying, figures
of animals, Neolithic shells and tools. The
cave of Ag. Paraskevi Skotinou.
22 km from Iraklio. This very interesting cave was used for
cult
worship both in antiquity and during the Christian era. The
Kamares Cave.
Northeast of the village of Kamares (57 km from Iraklio) lies
the cave of Kamares, established during the Minoan period as
a
sacred spot, possibly dedicated to the worship of the goddess
Eileithyia. The wonderful Kamares vases, on display in the
Archaeological Museum of Iraklio were found here. Visiting
the cave entails a 4-hour walk from the village. The
Gerani Cave of Rethymno.
6 km from Rethymno, this is a cave of prehistoric and
archaeological interest. Finds from this Cave may be seen in the
Rethymno Archaeological Museum. The Melidoni Cave. 3 km
from the village of Melidoni (26 km east of Rethymno), this was
used for cult worship during the Neolithic, Minoan and Archaic
periods.
Source:
GNTO
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