Melidoni cave
 | The Melidoni cave, situated 2 klm away from the village of Melidoni, was formerly used for cult worship during the Minoan and Archaic periods. Later during the Turkish occupation on the island, a tragic event took place that associated this cave with the Cretans' struggle for freedom. |
About 400 people ' most of them women and children ' suffered a tragic death when they refused to surrender and sought refuge in the cave. The Turks lit a fire at the cave's entrance and all the people inside died of suffocation. A tomb in the middle of the main hall contains the remains of
those who were sacrificed in the name of liberation.
The cave consists of a huge chamber which is called the Heroes' chamber and other smaller ones, with impressive clusters of stalactites and stalagmites can be found inside.
According to the legend, the Melidoni cave was the mythical home of Talos " the bronze giant" protector of Crete. The myth says about Medea, the which who took off his protective thorn and
let him bleed to death.
Change your search
Hotel Destinations
Heraklion
The prefecture of Heraklion is the biggest on the island and is surrounded by Ida mountains and Lassithi
Chania
The prefecture of Chania occupies the west section of the island. It's a mainly mountainous region with the White Mountains
Rethymno
The prefecture of Rethymno lies between two large mountain ranges, the White mountains and Ida
Lassithi
Lassithi is the easternmost prefecture of Crete. Agios Nikolaos, the capital of the prefecture is a cosmopolitan, coastal town on Mirabello bay.
