greek hotels - Agia Paraskevi Caye, Skotinos North-west of Skotinos village, after about 2 km, we encounter the cave of Agia (St.) Paraskevi, the entrance of which is at an aftitude of 225 m. After the entrance, there is a large chamber, the "Great Temple" (130 m x 33 m x 30 m), where you will see impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. Unprepared visitors will be awed by the height of the ceiling and the cave's imposing size. The next chamber, the "Ahtar", is smaller (24x8.5x25 m) and there are indications that travel s took place here. The visit so far is relatively easy using just a torch, but from this point on, some speleological knowledge and a good light source are necessary in orderto proceed. There is a 6-m descent, leading to the "Sanctum", a I 5x8x3 m underground chamber. An uphill corridor leads to the main chamber from another exit sport ween the Altar and the Sanctum, another corridor, 12m long and I.5-2.5 m wide, leads to the "Worship Chamber" (12x 12x 14 m), which resembles a vault and contains impressive decor. An ascent of 4 metres leads to the "Prayer Room", and a narrow small chamber opens out at the end (the locals call it the "Chapel"). The cave's total length is 170 m., with a total area of almost 2,500 m2 and a tourist route of 450 m. No systematic excavations have taken place in the cave, but research shows that it was used as a place of worship in the Minoan period. Many of the cave's stalagmites appear to have been processed, and it is believed that they were objects of worship. Recently, archaeologist P. Faure claimed that Agia Paraskevi cave is the famous Maze of Knossos, and that goddess Vritomartis was the main deity worshipped in the cave. A descent to the Sanctum is not recommended. Besides the difficulty of the descent, cave crickets and other cave animals, which are threatened by trampling due to careless visitors, inhabit the chambers floor.

Summer-Hotels > Heraklion > Agia Paraskevi Caye, Skotinos

North-west of Skotinos village, after about 2 km, we encounter the cave of Agia (St.) Paraskevi, the entrance of which is at an aftitude of 225 m.
After the entrance, there is a large chamber, the "Great Temple" (130 m x 33 m x 30 m), where you will see impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. Unprepared visitors will be awed by the height of the ceiling and the cave's imposing size.
The next chamber, the "Ahtar", is smaller (24x8.5x25 m) and there are indications that travel s took place here.
The visit so far is relatively easy using just a torch, but from this point on, some speleological knowledge and a good light source are necessary in orderto proceed. There is a 6-m descent, leading to the "Sanctum", a I 5x8x3 m underground chamber. An uphill corridor leads to the main chamber from another exit sport ween the Altar and the Sanctum, another corridor, 12m long and I.5-2.5 m wide, leads to the "Worship Chamber" (12x 12x 14 m), which resembles a vault and contains impressive decor. An ascent of 4 metres leads to the "Prayer Room", and a narrow small chamber opens out at the end (the locals call it the "Chapel"). The cave's total length is 170 m., with a total area of almost 2,500 m2 and a tourist route of 450 m. No systematic excavations have taken place in the cave, but research shows that it was used as a place of worship in the Minoan period. Many of the cave's stalagmites appear to have been processed, and it is believed that they were objects of worship. Recently, archaeologist P. Faure claimed that Agia Paraskevi cave is the famous Maze of Knossos, and that goddess Vritomartis was the main deity worshipped in the cave.
A descent to the Sanctum is not recommended. Besides the difficulty of the descent, cave crickets and other cave animals, which are threatened by trampling due to careless visitors, inhabit the chambers floor.