Melidoni Cave, about 2km outside the village of Melidoni, has an eerie beauty and carries heavy, historical significance. A place of worship since neolithic times, it became the site of a nasty massacre in 1824 under the Turkish occupation when 370 villagers and 30 soldiers sought refuge here from the Ottoman army. After a three-month siege, the Turks lit a fire and asphyxiated them inside, including 340 women and children. Pay your respects in the Hall of Heroes before exploring this evocative underworld of stalactites and stalagmites.
Wear decent walking shoes as the cave is poorly lit and the ground uneven and slippery in places. You’ll need to descend 70 steps into the cave. Also bring a sweater; at 24m below ground, it never gets above 18 degrees Celsius.
