Greece 2014 Adventure: Melissani Cave of the Nymphs Day 6



How do I even begin to describe this incredibly beautiful and breathtaking cave with a lake of such magical waters that it is no wonder the place of myth, legends and Nymphs....
 



 




Melissani is located at Karavomylos, just some 2 km from the town of Sami. it is indeed a unique cave with a lake whose waters reach a depth of 39 m (I would loved to have been able to go and explore underwater!)

the cave is 160 m long and 40 m wide.

The stalactites date back to around 16 000 to 20 000 years.

in the centre is where the magic and fantasy happens...above the lake where a covered section starts a small 30 m long little island appears. on the surface are two even smaller elevations of 8 m and 9 m.

When you look to the heavens the cave has  an opening through the aperture in the roof above, which allows the natural lights of nature and the sun to flood in creating dramatic kaleidoscope of colours. deep blues, turquoises, whites, yellows, aquamarines, grays the colours teasing you and dancing with your imagination.

 

 

 

 


These colours keep changing as the sunlight falls through and one can only imagine darker colours the sunrises and sunsets bring as they light up the skies above.

 

 

 




 

a very narrow waterway between this small island and the walls of the lake leads to the rest of the cave. the small rowing boats are able to pass through this narrow waterway.

 

 

 

 

 


Melissani has been the site of several excavations, which have made several amazing discoveries. Most of them from the 3rd and 4th centuries BC attesting to a cult of the god Pan.

a number of female figures have also been found, the famous nymphs!!

this should be one of the wonders of the world and on everyone's bucket list. the tour is over quickly and I would really loved to have spent many hours exploring this cave and just been able to take in every bit of it.

NOTE: the photos below I posted from google the are stunning and show some angles I was unable to get to. also shows some different lighting and times of the day.

 


 

 


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