Σπηλεα Ελληνωκαμαρα

About a kilometre beyond the hamlet of Kathístres, and a further 500 m south west is the Cave of Ellinokamára, named after the late classical, polygonal wall completely blocking the entrance. Its ancient function is uncertain, perhaps a cult shrine or tomb complex. To reach it, turn south at the two restored windmills in Ayía Minína, then right (west) at the phone-box junction; carry straight and down (not level and left) until you see a red-dirt path going up the hillside to a crude, stone built pastoral hut. Some modern masonry walls enclose the start of this path, but once at the hut (the cave is more or less underneath it) you're compelled to hop a fence to visit - there are no gates. From Ellinokamára another, fainter path - you'll probably need a guide - continues for about 1500 m in the same direction to the larger, more natural cave of Selai, with impressive speleothems in the rear chamber.

Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.