Went there just after Crete reopend after the Corona lock-down, so we were almost alone contributing to a nice experience. It shouldn't be. Takes a while to get there by car. Here, one meter above the floor, a rectangular altar stands. If you do not want to walk, there are donkeys for transfering the visitors to the cave. Located on the Lassithi Plateau, East region of Crete, South of Malia, It is up in the mountains, the drive has some sinuous turns where you can cross path with coaches, Heraklion to Cave of Zeus (Psychro) = 1h30 drive, Rethymno to Cave of Zeus (Psychro = 2h30 drive, Agios Nikolaos to Cave of Zeus (Psychro)= 1h15 drive, If you don't want to drive, a few day trips include the Lassithi plateau and the cave -, The last kilometer is a very sinuous narrow drive up to the carpark which is a bit of a mess. NEW POTTERY FROM THE PSYCHRO CAVE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR MINOAN CRETE' (PLATES 4-10) In memory ofMervyn Popham INTRODUCTION IN 1999, while working in the storerooms of the Herakleion Museum, Mervyn Popham discovered two boxes (labelled F 5 and F 6) containing pottery from David Hogarth's The cave seems to have been used for residence and burials since 2800 BC. Psychro Cave Label from public data source Wikidata Sources found : The cave sanctuary of Zeus at Psychro, 1996: t.p. While moving inside the cave, the visitor enters the great hall with the largest part of it being covered by solid rock and large stalagmites. He was also the ruler of the sky, the earth and was regarded by the ancient Greeks as the personification of the laws of nature. Thus Cronus devoured his children for his protection. A secondary legendary tells that king Minos was born in the same cave with his father Zeus. Whilst he was raised further east in the Idaeon Andron, on Mount Ida, Psychro was, legend has it, the spot where the goddess Rhea, escaping the wrath and peculiarities of her husband Cronos, fled and gave birth to Zeus. For this reason, this also called the “Bethlehem of the Ancient World”. Find all the transport options for your trip from Agios Nikolaos to Psychro Cave right here. Rome2rio makes travelling from Agios Nikolaos to Psychro Cave easy. The cave, which has an area of 2200 sq.m, is well lit and the paths in it come along a well-designed path of 250m length. According to Hesiod, Theogony, Rhea gave birth to Zeus in Lyctus and hid him in a cave of Mount Aegaeon. The walk up to the entrance takes about 15 minutes. The Cave of Zeus Crete (also known as Psychro Cave) is one of the ‘must do’ things to do in Crete. Near the entrance of the cave there is a kiosk where you can buy tickets for a small price. Residues were collected at the side of the altar. Wild pigeons and other birds nest in the first hall of the cave. Thus, Minos has been related to the absolute justice, which made him a judge in Hades when he died. According to legend, Ray and her son Zeus hid in this Psychro Cave from Kronos, who, fearing the prophecy about his son, who will overthrow him, became devour all his children, and only … Is it also Ideon Andron cave? Besides the caves of religious or historical value, Crete has more than 4.500 mapped caves and sinkholes, available to each experienced speleologist who wants to enjoy their rich decoration and fauna. Dikteon) - Melidoni cave, Check out the best rated accommodations in Malia, Check out the best rated accommodations in Elounda, 27+ Best Beaches in Crete (Greece) – Photos + Travel Tips, Historical Arkadi Monastery (Crete) – Visit Tips + Photos, Melidoni Cave (Crete) – Photos + Visit Tips, Falassarna Beach and Ruins (Crete) – Photos + Planning Tips, It is located above the Lassithi plateau and at the entrance level, you get. He revealed himself there and mated with her. The great majority of these vases can, on the basis of their fabric and decoration, be traced to Malia, Knossos and the Lasithi Plain. She tricked Cronus and, instead of the baby, she gave him to eat a rock wrapped in the swaddling clothes of the baby. Dikteon Andron Cave or Psychro Cave is located in Lassithi plateau between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos approximately 60 km from each. Psychro, august 29th: Donkey for the trip to the Cave of Zeus in Dikti mountains from Crete island of Greece. Belong anywhere with Airbnb. Psychro Cave (Greek: Σπήλαιο Ψυχρού) is an ancient Minoan sacred cave in the Lasithi district of eastern Crete. Having parked up the car, there was about 15 minute walk, a kilometre, up a steep paved pathway, as we neared the entrance, the pavement disappeared and it became rocky. Having parked up the car, there was about 15 minute walk, a kilometre, up a steep paved pathway, as we neared the entrance, the pavement disappeared and it became rocky. A small shrine (3m x 2m), a paved floor and a wall surrounding them have been found inside the small hall, near the entrance. Mais ce n'est pas la grotte la plus facile d'accès. Psychro Cave. The largest tourist attraction in the Lasithi Plateau is the cave of Psychro (also called Dikteon cave and sometimes spelt Psichro cave). 당나귀는 € 10의 추가 요금에 대한 지원을 제공합니다 Een andere benaming is de “Grot van Zeus” en de afstand van Chersonissos bedraagt 38 kilometer. Take the scenic route to the Plateau of Lasithi, known for its windmills and climb up to the Cave of Psychro, where according to mythology, Zeus was raised. Cult practice probably begins in the Early Minoan period (2800-2300 B.C.) You will see carpark attendant to which you have to pay a small fee (around 2€50), Planning info to make the most of your time, 150+ original photos to help you select where to go, Psychro cave opening hours = Summer: 8am to 6pm / Winter: 8am to 3pm, Around the carpark you can find many restaurants. It is believed to be the birthplace of Zeus, the king of the Gods of Olympus. The impressive cave of Zeus, the Diktaean Cave, is located above the village Psychro in Lassithi Plateau at an altitude of 1025m. In 700BC the worship was moved to Ideon Cave in Psiloritis mount. Other findings are related to the rural occupations of their donors. In the great hall, excavations revealed numerous offerings, spearheads, knives, razors, needles, figurines, statues, brass and bronze double axes, pottery parts, gems with depictions of bulls and goats, necklace beads, small spheres of glass, bronze rings, gold and silver garlands, human statues, precious jewelry, lances, spears etc. Another legend says that King Minos came to Diktaean Cave every nine years, when the orbits of the moon and the sun converged. Caves with rich decoration which are open to visitors are the Diktaean Cave by Psychro, Gerontospilios by Melidoni and Sfendoni by Zoniana. 320 km) Unfortunately, this stalagmite has been damaged by visitors. Psychro is associated with the Diktaean Cave, one of the putative sites of the birth of Zeus; other legends place it as the Idaean Cave on Mount Ida. According to mythology, the Diktaean Cave is the cave where the Harpies lived. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The impressive cave of Zeus, the Diktaean Cave, is located above the village Psychro in Lassithi Plateau at an altitude of 1025m. JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use Google Maps. However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser. From the car park (about 3 euros parking fee, often full in the summer, you have to wait) you walk about 15 minutes up to the entrance of the cave of Zeus. Also, there are some buildings. Find all the transport options for your trip from Heraklion to Psychro Cave right here. Psychro is associated with the Diktaean Cave, one of the putative sites of the birth of Zeus. A smaller hall is located on the northwest side. A fascinating cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites lets the imagination run wild as to how this could have been the hiding place where Rhea decided to protect Zeus from his father Cronus. They were female monsters with bird heads and women bodies, who were the messengers of Hades. Over the paved floor, archaeologists found traces of ashes, post-Minoan jars and reliefs, bronze weapons, knives and pins, a metal cult statue, pottery parts, and Geometric and Archaic offerings. Psychro Cave is an ancient and sacred Minoan sacred cave that is located in the Lasithi district of eastern Crete and is associated with the Diktaean Cave, which is one of the various sites and caves that are in contention as the legendary place from the tale of the birth of Zeus, alongside the Idaean Cave … Small path leads to it out of the valley, and the cave is located on more than a thousand meters above sea level. According to the legend, it is believed to be the cave that Zeus was born. The impressive Dikteon Andron (Dikteon Cave or Psychro Cave) is located at the north side of Dikti Mountain in the Lassithi Plateau of Crete, at an altitude of 1025m above the village of Psychro and in combination with the panoramic view of the mountain, the visitor is enchanted. The lower Cave hosts different kinds of bats and cave arthropods. The cave it self is mysterious, cold and overall pretty amazing. In Cretan mythology three heroines are closely linked to Minos: Pasiphae, Ariadne and Phaedra. Psychro Cave is also known as Diktaion Andron and is located in the south of Lasithi Plateau and is 1,025 metres above sea level. Just stay away from the donkeys and tourist cafes … Exterior of the cave overlooking Lassithi plateau. Would recommend. The use of caves as cult places was one of the basic characteristics of the religious beliefs of the ancient Cretans. See the ancient Minoan sanctuary, admire the stalagmites and stalactites, and learn about the myths and legends of the cave when you take a guided tour. Another version of the famous legend of Europa, tells that when Zeus transformed to a bull and seduced Europa, he took her in the DIctaean Cave, and not in Gortyn. The cave itself has been associated with stories like that of the seer Epimenides who "slept" here for 57 years, the rape of Europa by Zeus, the birth of Minos, the Harpies, etc. The cave has been used as a burial site and a shrine from Early Minoan times. The cave is full of various shapes that resemble humans or animals and it seems that they have been used as worship objects. (Psychro Cave; located in the nome of Lasithi on Crete, northern face of the Dictaean Mountain range) Psychro Cave Weather in July: The month of July is considered as the best time to visit Psychro Cave owing to temperatures ranging from 66℉ to 97℉. The abundance of weapons and swords found in the cave could lead to the conclusion that a war goddess was worshiped there. Compare ticket and tour prices from different websites for a visit to Psychro Cave in Crete, the birthplace of Zeus. The route to the cave is magnificent as the view to the Lassithi Plateau is breathtaking. According to the myth Zeus was born inside Dikteon Cave, which is also called Psychro Cave because of its location near the village of Psychro in Lassithi Plateau The use of caves as cult places was one of the basic characteristics of the religious beliefs of the ancient Cretans. Most findings come from illegal excavations and are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and in Oxford. Something I have to mention at the start (which applies to A LOT of Crete's attractions is that there was zero indication that there was an admission fee top get into the cave. You will see some websites calling this cave the Ideon Andron cave. In the first hall, Neolithic pottery and Early Minoan burial objects have been found. Log in. It seems that locals placed offerings above the altar, such as oil, honey, wine, cereals, sacrificed animals and then they put fire. Objects from Neolithic, Minoan, Subminoan, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times have been extracted, indicating the long-term use of the cave. Southeast of the chamber there is a large stalagmite complex. Psychro Cave, or Diktaean Cave is located in the mountains above the Lasithi plateau. To view Google Maps, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, and then try again. The easiest way to reach it - from Heraklion, here you will find buses, that go to the village on weekdays, at 5:45 am and at 1:45 pm. Other legends place it as the Idaean Cave on Mount Ida. tips; bezienswaardigheden; De Dikteon grot, ook wel grot van Zeus of Psychro cave genoemd, ligt bij het dorpje Psychro op de Lassithi hoogvlakte. Psychro Cave Weather in August-October: With average humidity of 68%, temperatures sway between 54℉ to 91℉. Many archaeologists believe that Ariadne is closest to the deity of the cave and her lover, Dionysus. The cave of Psychro is one of the most important cult places of Minoan Crete. The Cave of Zeus or Dikteon Cave or Psychro Cave or whatever name people want to call it wad among these must see spots. An ideal situation to get around exploring all the points of interest in Psychro Cave. Once awakened, he had the same age, but had acquired divine wisdom and knowledge. The entire great hall has impressive decor with large columns, stalactites and stalagmites. In Psychro there is plenty of parking space, with plenty of restaurants nearby. Donkey for the trip to the Cave of Zeus in Dikti Psychro, august 29th: Donkey for trip to the Cave of Zeus in Dikti mountains from Crete island of Greece. 와이너리 투어 및 시음, Lasithi 고원 및 Psychro 동굴 4.7 / 5 후기 10 개 ... • Psychro Cave까지 20 분 동안 오르는 것은 가파르고 적합하지 않은 사람에게는 어려울 수 있습니다. These caves are located above the Lassithi plateau. Europa born Minos, Sarpedon and Radamanthys. Zeus was born and raised here, with the help of the Nymphs and the Kouretes. The easiest path is the left one, because in the right path (the oldest) the stones are worn by thousands of tourists and are slippery. How difficult is it to walk up to the Psychro cave - Hike, Getting down inside the Zeus cave - staircase, Formations in the Zeus cave's chamber - Geology, History & Myth of the Cretan Cave of Zeus - Archeology, Alternative to Psychro Cave (a.k.a. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. According to ancient Greek belief, the main god Zeus is said to be born here. So below is guide to help you plan your visit to the … Near the entrance, on the right there is a hall, while the great hall starts at a lower level. Find unique places to stay with local hosts in 191 countries. The cave of Psychro (Diktaion Antron or Diktaian Cave) is one of the most important cult places of Minoan Crete. Some of them have great views of the Lassithi plateau, I will talk about the difficulty to access it in details in the next section, but know that you have to be relatively able and fit (steep slopes + 200 stairs), There is a little café at the top of the hike near the entrance, The ticket counter is also at the top of the hike near the entrance, You can stay near the coast by the beaches of Malia (to combine with the Minoan ruins) -, Or to the East around Agios Nikolaos and Elounda (for a visit to Spinalonga island) -.