Σπήλαιο Φόρος

Foros Cave - Phoros Cave - Cave Foros - Tax Cave - Σπήλαιο Αλαδινού - Aladinos Cave


Useful Information

Location: Aladinos village near Chora (Andros Town).
From Chora to Aladinos village, signposted with brown signs. After crossing the river small parking lot on the left side, trail to the cave on the right side. The trail to the cave is the Andros Route 18a, 350 m/10 minutes.
(37.806970, 24.897485)
Open: JAN to JUN only after appointment.
JUL to SEP Mon, Tue 11-20, Wed 11-15, Thu-Sat 11-20, Sun 11-15.
OCT to DEC only after appointment.
[2022]
Fee: Adults EUR 5.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: T=16-17 °C, H=75%.
Guided tours: L=150 m, VR=10 m, D=30 min.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Foros Cave, Aladinou, Andros 845 00, Tel: +30-693-969-6835. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1937 first explored by Ioannis and Anna Petrocheilou.
1982 survey by Anna Petrocheilou and S. Diakogiannis of the Hellenic Speleological Society (ESS).
SEP-2010 opened to the public.

Description

Σπήλαιο Φόρος (Foros Cave) on Andros Island, Cyclades, is one of the lesser known caves in Greece. Nevertheless, it is a fully developed show cave with concrete paths and electric light. There are actually two theories which explain how the cave got its name. The first tells that the cave was named foro in Italian, which means opening or hole, and this description became its name. It does not explain why the cave would be named in Italian. The second theory is based on the word Φόρος (foros) in Greek, which means tax. When an animal fell into the cave and vanished, it was interpreted as a tax to the evil spirits. But often it is simply called Σπήλαιο του Αλαδινού ΄Ανδρου (Cave of Aladinos Andros) or short Σπήλαιο Αλαδινού (Aladinos Cave) after nearby village Aladinos.

Andros is the second biggest island in the Cyclades. The cave is located in the center of the island, and reached from the capital Chora on the main road across the island. Turn left to Aladinos village, then follow the road across the river. There is a short walk of 350 m (10 min) on a cobblestone path. Visitors are equipped with helmets and handlamps, the cave is lighted, so the handlamps are not really necessary. The cave is rather small, but has some nice speleothems.

As the cave is rather small and has nothing exceptional, it is often praised to be one of the most well-hidden caves in Greece. Fortunately it is well signposted. And as it is the only show cave on the island it is also well known.