Ιδαιον Αντρον

Idaion Antron - Idaio Andro - Idaion Andron - Idaian Cave


Useful Information

Location: Mount Psiloritis, District of Rethymno.
24 km south of Anoghia and 78 km from Rethymno, on the upland plain of Nidas.
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Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: A=1,540 m asl
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History


Description

Dictaean Cave is overlooking the Lassithi Plateau, the view from the cave entrance is marvelous. According to mythology, Rhea hid the baby Zeus from the murderous Cronos in this cave. But this is only one of two caves claiming to be this cave. The other cave is ShowcaveDiktaion Antron. The story about Zeus is told here: BookZeus Grown Up in a Cave. This cave is also the place of a second story, where Zeus many years later met Europe.

The cave was an important place of worship in both the Minoan and the Roman period. Excavation works in the interior of the cave revealed an abundance of important finds such as cult objects, statues, ceramics, gold jewellery, metal objects and of course the famous bronze shields. Many finds are on display in the Iraklio Archaeological Museum.

At the moment the cave is again the place of excavations and it is not accessible to the public.