Δρακοσπηλιά

Dragon Cave


Useful Information

Drakospilia cave below Varlaam monastery.
Location: Near Kalambaka.
(39.72455925740612, 21.630091649713012)
Open: No restrictions.
[2010]
Fee: free.
[2010]
Classification: SpeleologyTectonic cave
Light: n/a
Dimension:  
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: Georgios Lazaridis (2020): Caves in the conglomerates of the Meteora geosite (Greece), Cave and Karst Science 47(1):6-10. researchgate
Address:  
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History


Description

Drakospilia cave below Varlaam monastery.
Drakospilia cave below Varlaam monastery.

Δρακοσπηλιά (Drakospilia, Cave of the Dragon) is the biggest and most prominent of all caves at Meteora.

Varlaam Monastery (also Barlaam Monastery) was named after the monk Varlaam, who built the first chapel on this rock in the 14th century. It was enlarged by two brothers from the monastery at Ioannina during the 16th century. According to legend, they had to drive away the monster who lived in a cave on the summit before they could move in.

The Drakospilia does not really fit to this legend, as it is located at the foot of the rock, not at the summit. It is a huge through cave which is obviously a result of a collapse or rockfall. The huge blocks and the debris can be found at the foot of the rock. The cave is easy to see from the road.

Once upon a time a Dragon used to live inside a huge cave beneath the Varlaam monastery. Each night the dragon went to the village Kastraki to feed on the people and their livestock. The people became very desperate but were unable to deal with the dragon by themselves. So they went to the monastery of Varlaam for help and guidance. A monk saw their desperation and decided to sacrifice himself in order to help them. He cursed the dragon and then jumped from the cliff and died. Immediately the ceiling of the cave collapsed and the dragon was killed by the rockfall.