Places of interest - Monemvasia

Kastania Cave

One of the most impressive caves of Greece can be found near the village of Kastania on the southern tip of the Peloponnese, just minutes away from Neapoli. The route follows the winding mountain road leading to the forest-covered eastern slopes of Mt. Parnon.

Rich in density and variety of shapes, colors and figures, Kastania Cave is classified as second of its kind in Europe. Nature needed three million years to create this fantasyscape with its unparalleled décor and numerous impressive formations such as enormous red and white “waterfalls”, the gigantic columns, the “curtains” and the “sheets” that overflow like waxwork from the roof, “octopuses” and “corals” nest, “elephants” and “mushrooms”, “birds” and caricatures, “exotic plants” and monumental creatures…

Standing out among the numerous attractions of the cave are geological rarities such as discs, flat stalagmites, eccentrites and elictites. With a little luck, visitors may meet the cave’s noble resident insect, the deaf and blind dolichopoda.

The cave’s surface covers 1,500 square meters separated into two levels and the visitor is guided along a 500-meter route. The cave was formed from limestones of Jurassic age (195-145 million years old) as a result of geological turmoil and chemical reaction. The stone décor owes its seven-color palette to crystalline carbonate lime enriched with several metal oxides.

A café operates right outside the cave and nearby is the old church of St. Andrew, scarred by pirates and conquerors
Access

The cave can be accessed by following the circular route that connects Neapoli with the mountain villages Kastania, Ano Kastania, Faraklo and Mesochori. Busses and other large vehicles should take the road through Mesochori and avoid the route passing through Kastania.

Parking space can be found at the entrance of the cave.

Location:
Kastania near Neapolis
Days and hours of operation:
From 24/12/2016 until 31/05/2017 every Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00
First tour at 10:30-last tour at 15:30

In addition the cave will be open during the same hours on the following days:

From Friday 23/12/2016 until Friday 06/01/2017 daily, except Sunday the 1st of January
On Monday 27/02/2017
On Friday and Saturday 24 and 25/03/2017
From Thursday 13/04/2017 until Friday 21/04/2017 daily except Sunday Easter day 16/04/2017
On Monday the 1st of May 2017

Tours every hour. Each tour lasts 30-40 min.

Τours:
Guided tours are provided in Greek and English. Written tour information are available in French, Italian, Spanish,German and Russian.
Τickets prices:
Adults: 7.00 Euros
Adults as part of a group: 5.00 Euros
Children and students: 3.00 Euros
Contact:
For group visits (clubs, schools etc) and information call at the following telephone numbers: +30 2734360100-115, +30 6986555444 (Ms karvouni) or visit: http://www.kastaniacave.gr

– Τhere is a Cafeteria available and good access for large buses.

VIRTUAL TOUR 360⁰

VIDEO

Petrified Forest

The petrified forest on the coast not far from the village of Aghios Nikolaos is included in the Aegean Geological Monument Atlas and justly claims its place in Europe’s Geopark Network.

At the coastal settlements of Aghia Marina, Korakas and Spitha, these fossils bear silent witness to their long-lost time.

According to a study by Professor Evangelos Velitzelos, the findings in the Aghios Nikolaos are are unique in Europe and of major scientific interest as the result of an original limestone petrification.

The professor’s research program and restoration work at the site have revealed palm trees, fruit and roots of palm trees and fauna typical of shallow waters such as mollusks, shellfish and sea urchins.

This work of nature is the result of the interaction of many geological phenomena over millions of years and is now a Geopark, having been cleaned, desalinated and stabilized, individual items having been restored or reconnected.

However protecting them from damage, particularly from human activities, remains a challenge.

Αn information center is open everyday during July and August from 10:00 to 19:00. Free guided tours are also offered. The tours are in Greek and English and last approximately 15 minutes.

Access

The Petrified Forest is located at the coastal sites Agia Marina, Korakas and Spitha, just a few kilometres away from the village of Agios Nikolaos. Access is through a dirt road (2 km).

Parking space can be found at the entrance of the Petrified Forest.

Location:
Agios Nikolaos, Neapoli
Information:
The site of the Petrified Forest is freely accessible.

Free entrance