Melissani Cave

Melissani (Greek Σπήλαιο Μελισσάνης Spileo Melissánis ) is a cave with a lake on the Greek island of Kefalonia near the town of Sami. In addition to the nearby Drogarati Cave is one of the two caves on the island.

History

The lake in the cave in ancient times was a place of worship of the shepherd god Pan, as evidenced by numerous finds on the ground. This can be seen in the Archaeological Museum in Argostoli. Below this is a panel from the 3rd century BC to the oldest surviving document of the word nymphomania. In the literature, the cave is mentioned in the novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières.

The cave is 160 m long, 45 m wide and 36 m deep. 1963 could solve the " phenomenon of sea mills of Argostoli " Austrian geologists. The inland flowing sea water mixes with groundwater and lands in the lake in the cave, where it then evaporates. In the 1960s, a tunnel was dug to the edge of the lake to make it accessible to the cave for visitors.

Sight

Melissani is one of the main attractions of the island. Visitors are guided on rowing boats through the cave, where at lunch time most of daylight falling through the ceiling collapse in the cave. Open the cave from spring until late autumn, from 9 clock to sunset.