Milatos Cave
Milatos Cave is a large historical cave in the Lassithi prefecture of Crete, 3 km from the village of Milatos. The cave holds few stalactites and stalagmites, so what draws people here is its place in local history rather than its formations. Roughly 3,600 people were massacred inside it by Ottoman forces in February 1823, during the Greek Revolution.
The cave sits above a valley and is reached on foot. A chapel, a memorial and an annual service keep the events of 1823 present at the site, and the archaeological evidence inside it reaches much further back, to the Neolithic era.
The massacre of 1823
The massacre took place in February 1823, when Ottoman forces trapped and killed the people of Milatos inside the cave. Crete had joined the Greek uprising against Ottoman rule, and the Ottoman answer to the revolt was widespread violence and destruction meant to end it. The villagers of Milatos took refuge in the cave, with the men holding the entrance while Ottoman troops closed in around them.
The siege ran for two weeks, from 3 February to 15 February, and starvation and thirst decided it. The besieged Greeks broke out to face the forces outside, and many were killed, among them 18 priests who were burned alive. The few who came through the attack were sold into slavery in Egypt.
The chapel and the memorial inside the cave
A small chapel dedicated to Saint Thomas was built inside the cave in 1935, in memory of the dead. A memorial stands beside it and holds the remains of those who died here. A memorial service is held in the cave once a year.
The size and shape of Milatos Cave
Milatos Cave covers 2,100 sq.m., measuring 73 metres long and 63 metres wide. Eight entrances open into it, and the roof height varies between one and three metres, so parts of the cave are walked at a stoop. Archaeological evidence found inside shows the cave was already inhabited in the Neolithic era.
Things to do near Milatos Cave
Five beaches, gorges and monasteries lie within 10 km of the cave, listed below with the nearest first.
- Swim at the village beaches. The Milatos beaches lie 1.5 km from the cave, below the village itself.
- Carry on to Sissi. Its beaches are 4.2 km away and the village of Sissi 5.3 km.
- Walk the Selinaris Gorge. The gorge and the St. George Selinaris monastery both sit 4.3 km from the cave.
- Visit the Minoan palace at Malia. The archaeological site is 7.8 km away, with Potamos beach beside it at 8.8 km.
- See two more monasteries. Areti Monastery in Karydi lies 9.3 km out and Kardamoutsa Monastery 9.5 km, in the same inland stretch of Mirabello.
Getting to Milatos Cave
Drive to the valley below the cave and park there, then follow the path up. The path is narrow, 200 metres long, and winds through a gorge, so wear shoes you can walk rough ground in. The village of Neapoli lies 6.5 km inland and Malia town further west along the coast.
Walkers with more time in the area have two other gorges within reach. The Skotini Gorge is 8.9 km from the cave, and the Kouroukoulos Gorge a fraction further.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Milatos Cave?
Milatos Cave is in the Lassithi prefecture of Crete, 3 km from the village of Milatos. The cave stands above a valley on the north coast of eastern Crete, with the Milatos beaches 1.5 km away.
What happened at Milatos Cave in 1823?
Ottoman forces besieged and killed about 3,600 people sheltering in the cave in February 1823. The villagers had hidden there during the Greek Revolution. After two weeks without food or water they broke out on 15 February, and many were killed, including 18 priests who were burned alive.
How big is Milatos Cave?
Milatos Cave covers 2,100 sq.m., 73 metres long by 63 metres wide. It has eight entrances, and its height ranges from one to three metres.
How do you get into Milatos Cave?
Park in the valley below and walk the 200-metre path that winds up through the gorge. The path is narrow, so it suits walking shoes rather than sandals.
Is there a church inside Milatos Cave?
Yes, a small chapel dedicated to Saint Thomas was built inside the cave in 1935. A memorial holding the remains of the dead stands with it, and a service is held in the cave each year.
Does Milatos Cave have stalactites?
Milatos Cave has few stalactites and stalagmites. Its interest is historical and archaeological: the 1823 massacre, the chapel and memorial, and evidence of habitation reaching back to the Neolithic era.
Location
Milatos Cave is located at Milatos cave, Vrachassio, Crete 724 00, Greece, in the Lassithi region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
