Sfentoni Cave

The Zoniana Cave, also known as ‘The Hole of Sfentoni’, is situated at the entrance of the village of Zoniana in the Mylopotamos area of Rethymno. It is located above a site called Skafidia, where a spring with gurgling water used to supply the historic settlement of Axos.

The Sfentoni Cave is a highly significant environmental and tourist destination in Greece. Visitors can explore and marvel at seven out of the fourteen chambers of the cave, thanks to the accessible pathway and the specially designed lighting that enhances the cave's features.

It is a spacious cave that stretches in a north-south direction. It has a maximum length of 145 metres in a straight line and covers an area of approximately 3,500 square metres. The cave is composed of various chambers, including The Harmonies, The Sanctuary of the Fairy, the Chapel, the Palace, the Parthenon, the Panorama, the Cathedral, the Lost Child, and the Fossilised Waves. Inside the cave, you will find an abundance of stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations, and several fossilised stone basins, adding an intriguing element to its geological features.

Inside the cave, visitors can marvel at the vast array of stalactite and stalagmite formations. The characteristic sound of water droplets echoes throughout the cave, creating a unique ambiance and sculpting the interior as well as the entrance deep within Psiloritis. Pausing for a moment and holding one's breath, one is confronted with a profound sense of self and the insignificance of one’s existence in the face of the eternal stalactite nearby. It is an opportunity to experience a cave in the way the French describe it: ‘The cave is the kingdom of silence and solitude, where one is unafraid to be alone and confront oneself.’

Visitors to Sfentoni Cave can:

1. Discover the magical world of the cave with the help of a guide.
2. Learn about the formation of stalagmites and stalactites.
3. Get informed about the invertebrate cave-dwelling animals and the troglobiotic ecosystem of the cave (isopods, diplurans, snails, etc.).
4. Find out about the history and myths of the cave, as well as the archaeological findings discovered within.
5. Find out about the plants of Crete in the beautiful outdoor area of the cave.
6. Enjoy the view in the outdoor area of the cave while making a brief stop for coffee, refreshments, and sandwiches at the Tourist Kiosk.

Information Region of Crete