Σπήλαιο Αγίου Ιωάννη Ntámialis

Agios Ioannis Damialis Cave


Useful Information

Location: Damialis Beach, 37 km west of Chania, 1.5 km north of Kissamos.
(35.5113668382637, 23.637287788542665)
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Classification: SubterraneaCave Church
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Address: Εκκλησία Ιωάννης Πρόδρομος, Ηρ. Πολυτεχνείου 113, Κίσσαμος 734 00
Ioannis Prodromos church, Ir. Politechniou 113, Kissamos 734 00, +30-2822-083326.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History

10th century cave church built.

Description

Σπήλαιο Αγίου Ιωάννη Ntámialis (Saint John Damialis Cave) located at the sea near Damialis Beach. A nice small church with an apses built into the cave, but its only a facade and much of the cave remains natural and is used for a crucifixion scene painted on tin foil, and all the other equipment which is typically found in a greek orthodox church. It is a real cave church with tiled floor and natural walls and ceilings.

The cave is located at the coast, the view on the sea from the cave entrance is beautiful. The road along the coast is between the church and the shore, and it is a bit tricky to find a parking lot. If you park along the road be careful when you walk to the cave church, there is a lot of traffic and you have to walk on the road. There is a connection from the cave to the beach below which crosses the road underground.

The church is obviously dedicated to Saint John but there seem to be various variations of the name in use. The simplest is Σπήλαιο Αγίου Ιωάννη (Spilaio Agios Ioannis, Saint John Cave). Also common are Αγίου Ιωάννη του Ντάμιαλη (Agíou Ioánni tou Ntámiali, Saint John Damialis) after the beach and Εκκλησία Ιωάννης Πρόδρομος (Ekklisía Ioánnis Pródromos, Church of John the Baptist). It is also called Αγίου Ιωάννη του Κισσάμου (Agíou Ioánni tou Kissámou, Saint John in Kissamos) after the nearby town Kissamos.