Kastania Cave is a true testament to Nature being a wondrous artist. This stunning geological marvel is a symphony of unforgettable shapes, colors, silhouettes, and ambiance. Entering Kastania Cave feels like stepping into a timeless monument of the earth’s endurance and poetry. If you find yourself in the Peloponnese, you should not miss out on visiting this amazing tour that would make Jules Verne envious!
Though just showing up is a guarantee for a stunning, amazing time, knowing about the cave in advance and anticipating what you will see will add an extra dimension of appreciation and enjoyment to your visit. Here is everything you need to know about Kastania Cave:
Visiting Kastania Cave in the Peloponnese
How to get to Kastania Cave
Kastania Cave is in the Peloponnese, in the region of Monemvasia. It is located on the east slope of Mt. Parnonas, very near the village of Kastania and just 17 km away from the port town of Vatika (also known as Neapoli).
The best way to go to the cave is by car, by taking the circular road connecting Neapoli to Kastania village. The road there is very picturesque, so be prepared to enjoy the ride and take in some gorgeous views of the verdant area rolling idly into the sea. Though there is access to the cave by bus, there are no public buses to rely on to take you there.
There is ample parking space for your car, if you have rented your own, and there is a refreshments shop where you can sit and rest right before the entrance to the cave.
The full ticket is 7 euros while the reduced price is 3 euros. The cave is open from 10 am to 6 pm and offers guided tours every hour starting at 10:30 am. The tour is very informative and fun, so make sure to wait for one before you go into the cave.
Make sure you check the website for any changes in schedules or days when it is open. Your best bet is to visit during the weekend as it is customarily open on Saturday and Sunday. Keep an eye out for days when visiting the cave is free!
A Brief History of Kastania Cave
Kastania Cave is 3 million years old. Throughout that time, it remained well hidden and unnoticed by humans until the turn of the century. Around that time a shepherd named Kostas Stivaktas was in the area looking for water to drink.
As he was looking around, he noticed bees that were constantly entering through a small opening to cool and drink water, then came out again. Certain that they weren’t building or maintaining a hive, Kostas made his way, prying the opening wider, and suddenly found himself in a glorious, breathtaking cavern. He also found the water he was looking for and doused his thirst.
Ever since his family would use this passageway he had created to cool down from the heat and get water for themselves when out in the wilderness shepherding or foraging. For a good few years, they were the only ones aware of the cave, but that changed in 1958 when more people stumbled upon it.
The municipality of Kastania then found out and immediately tried to protect and showcase this amazing cave. And showcase it they did! The once tranquil village became the hub for a litany of scientists that swarmed to the cave to explore it, preserve it, and make it known to the community.
It was only in 2004 that it finally was made accessible to the greater public after Kastania Cave was deemed one of the most important speleological finds and the second richest in formations in Europe.
About Kastania cave
The cave’s area is 1500 square meters, and it has two levels. Once you enter the cave you will be following a 500-meter route that will take you through its stunning formations, colorations, and other views.
The cave’s interior was formed with limestone that was created in the Jurassic Period some 140 million years ago. It is the result of powerful chemical reactions and immense geological pressure. There are seven different colors that you will be seeing in the cave, and those were made due to the crystalline carbonate lime and various oxides.
The formations at Kastania Cave
Kastania Cave is so special because of the sheer variety and range of different formations that the above natural forces yielded. You will not only see the expected, albeit stunning, stalagmites and stalactites. There are rare formations such as disks and flat stalagmites, helictites, and certain varieties of stalagmites that form peculiar, massive shapes.
The walk through the cave is relatively short and very safe. Despite the comparatively small size of the cave, it has managed to cram several awe-inspiring chambers that you will get to see. You start off in the First Chamber with the gigantic stalagmites and stalactites and pillars and then will make your way to the Red Chamber with the intense coloration.
As you begin descending towards the lower level, you’ll pass through the Water Chamber that has the little lagoon that Stivaktas’ family would use when they were thirsty. Going past there you will see monolithic formations that resemble giants and a huge balcony made of stalagmites.
As you go further below you will see the Mushroom Chamber, with the stalagmites that look like mushrooms, and the Royal Staircase that is adorned with such variation of stalagmites that it’s like gazing at an exotic garden.
Once you are at the lower level, you will walk through several chambers with stalagmites that resemble sculptures that trigger the imagination and give the various chambers their names: Candles, Fir Trees, Chocolate, Alabaster, and more.
Once you have explored all the chambers of vibrant color and one where there is no color at all, you will wrap things up at the Large Balcony and its spiral corridor leading you to a unique view of all the chambers in your line of sight that will take your breath away.
The cave doesn’t appear to have had any dwellers beyond the blind and deaf dolichopoda. The dolichopoda is a type of transparent spider with long antennae. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of it. But don’t be disappointed if you don’t, as these creatures are extremely shy!
Things to see near Kastania Cave
Once you are done visiting the cave of Kastania and have had your refreshment just outside, consider visiting other remarkable sites in Vatika, such as the Petrified Forest in Aghia Maria or the wetlands of Lake Strongyli if you are looking for more natural monuments.
And if you are up for some archaeological adventure, then you should seek out Pavlopetri off the nearby beach of Pouda. Have a swim in its waters and discover the oldest known submerged ancient town!