Melidoni Cave

Melidoni Cave, locally known as Gerondospilios, is an underground cave located a short distance away from the village of Melidoni. It is a popular tourist attraction with unique and natural rock formations. A natural arch forms the entrance to the cave, and it is easy to access. The terrace of the cave provides a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.

Mnemion, a complex made up of stalagmites in the first chamber of the cave ‘Room of Heroes’ has a path that goes around in a circle with a stone ossuary kept in the centre. The room is one of the largest cave halls in Crete. ‘Pashley Room’ and ‘The Chamber of Curtains’ are two other complexes consisting of stalagmites and stalactites, some of which are quite colourful with exquisite shapes. Many archaeological findings from the site, such as Neolithic tools, a double bronze axe, late Minoan pottery, etc., have been displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno. The cave was used as a place of worship during Minoan civilization and as a refuge from ​​Hussein Bey in 1823.