Crete has more than one-third of the caves in Greece, there are around 3,000 on the island alone. Melidoni is one of the most impressive and historically important. Known as Gerontospilos in Greek, it’s found 30km east of the town of Rethymno.
The cave has been inhabited for more than 5,500 years, which experts know because of the pottery and animal skins discovered. During the more recent Minoan period, the cave was used as a place of worship.
Nowadays, you can enter the cave and admire the three levels. The largest is called the Room of Heroes, where 400 people were killed after the Turks blocked the entrance and lit fires.
The cave has been inhabited for more than 5,500 years, which experts know because of the pottery and animal skins discovered. During the more recent Minoan period, the cave was used as a place of worship.
Nowadays, you can enter the cave and admire the three levels. The largest is called the Room of Heroes, where 400 people were killed after the Turks blocked the entrance and lit fires.
