Zeus Cave - Ιδαίο Άντρο
Zeus Cave is known as the Ideon Andron, is nestled into the side of Mt Idi, looking over the Nida Plateau. This remarkable cave is 55 kms from Iraklion in the Psiloritis mountain range in Crete, Greece. Mythology tells us that Zeus was born or raised in this cave, by the Goddess Rhea, to hide him from his father Chronos who had eaten all his children. The tales tell that special warriors known as Kouretes danced with shields and metal weapons protected Zeus, making a clashing noise so that his father would not hear him cry. Perhaps these were the original Cretans? Zeus, of course, went on to become one of the most powerful Gods, he was the God Mt Olympus, ruler of all the Gods, God of Thunder and God of the Sky. To reach the cave, drive south west from Iraklion to the mountain town of Anogia. From Anogia it is a further 22 kms up steep mountain roads. The road ends at Nida Plateau, with one or two small buildings and a little church. Behind the church, which looks out over the plateau and the mountain range, is a lovely picnic spot. Of course in winter there is snow, sometimes this area is inaccessible. A couple of hundred metres behind the church is the entrance to the Zeus Cave. The cave sits at 1540 metres above sea level. It is slippery and wet, with a very large cavern to expore, and an inner sanctum. Sometimes it is closed for archaeological excavations, so it is best to check before you visit.
From this high point you might spy a rare Bearded Vulture, the European Kestrel (pictured), the Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle or the Griffin Vulture. The Ideon Andron has been excavated by Giannis and Efi Sakellarakis, respected Cretan archaeologists. Mr Sakellarakis is the former director of the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion and has authored the books on Cretan archaeology; Digging for the Past and Archanes: Minoan Crete in a New Light. Precious artefacts have been uncovered. Discoveries of bronze statuettes, seal stones, tools and metal objects, copper shields, ivory and gold jewellery, ceramics, and figurines have been made in Zeus cave. Some of the artefacts are stored in the museum in Iraklion, including gold jewellery (see below).
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