Melidoni Cave in Crete

Melidoni Cave in Crete

Heraklion, Crete

Melidoni is an impressive cave with only one chamber open to visitors. Its high ceiling and the astonishing rock formations are very imposing. Some stalactites meet the stalagmites and create very wide and giant columns resulting in a spectacular view. 

It’s located 1h from Heraklion and 35’ from Rethymno. The roads are good, so you can make it even with a Fiat Punto. You can leave the car at the parking lot of the site.

The entrance fee is 4€ (3€ if you are a student) and you visit the cave on your own without a guide. You can only see one of the three rooms of the cave, which can be done in 10 minutes if you are fast. However, as there isn’t a guide with you, you can get in, out and spend as much time as you want there.

It has a rich history behind. In ancient times, the Minoan civilization used it as a place to worship Talos, the bronze giant guardian of Crete. There are also some inscriptions that date from the late Hellenistic period (100 AC).
More recent is what happened in 1820. 370 women and children and 30 warriors hid from the Turks in this cave. After several months of resistance, the Ottomans obstructed the entrance of the cave with flammable materials and started a fire, leading to the death by asphyxia of the civilians and warriors entrapped inside. In the main room there is an ossuary containing the bones of the victims of the tragedy.

There is a bar where you can have a snack or a drink next to the cave. You will also find free toilets next to the parking lot.

Try not to visit it during the central hours of the day to avoid crowds from the touristy buses as well and enjoy the quietness of the place.

If you like caves, you can also visit Sfendoni Cave. It’s a bigger cave located 40 minutes by car from Melidoni (more info here).

The history is very startling. The view of the whole room with the ossuary is very imposing.