Antiparos
Posted by: 
1538Moss
N 36° 59.438 E 025° 03.594
35S E 327347 N 4095592
Antiparos was known to European travelers during the period of Turkish rule because of the cave that lies on the western side of the island, on the hill of St. John. Beautiful stalactites and stalagmites adorn the chambers of the cave, whish in antiquity was probably a sanctuary dedicated to the Nymphs.
Waymark Code: WMCMV
Location: Greece
Date Posted: 05/15/2006
Published By: TVN
Views: 34
Southeast from the village, on top of St. Yannis hill, is located the famous Cave of Antiparos. The Cave has been a sight of interest for many years since it was known from ancient times. At that time, visitors were coming till Apantima with small boats, and then climbing the hill using donkeys, till the cave's entrance. The road today is made of asphalt and the donkeys are only used from the parking till the entrance as a tourist attraction. In front of the arched entrance of the cave, stands the beautiful church of St. Ioanni the Spilioti built in the 18 th century.
The descent during the past years was made with ropes and torches, in the place of which you will find stairs and electric lamps. But the descent is still as impressive as it was then, as you go downwards passing through the extraordinary stalagmite and stalactite formations. In the main hall stands the impressive "Altar", an 8m stalagmite in the shape of a truncated cone. It has been named like that since 1673, when the priest that escorted marquis Nte Nouantel, ambassador of France in Constantinople, performed the Christmas mass on it. On the stalagmite there is an engraving in Latin that says: " Here Christ himself celebrated his birthday in the middle of the night in 1673".
From the numerous engravings found in the cave, we can spot one from the 7 th century B.C Parian poet Arhilohou, and until the past century, there still was an engraving from officers of the Great Alexander, that were hiding inside the cave, after an unsuccessful conspiracy against him. Also there is an engraving from Othon, the first appointed king of Greece, who visited the cave at 1840, with Amalia and their escorts. Unfortunately during the Russian occupation, (from 1770 to 1774), Russian officers cut many stalactites, and sent them to the Ermitaz museum of St. Petersburg. During the 2nd world war, the cave suffered various catastrophes from the Italian soldiers.
Type of Land: Other
Managed By: Antiparos Comunity
Contact Info: +30 2284 0 61570
Website: [Web Link]
Type of Cave: Other
Contains Stalactites: yes
Contains Stalagmites: yes
Contains Bats: no
Price of Admission: 5.00 (listed in local currency)
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a digital photograph of the cave which documents your visit and any information that may be helpful for future visitors.