Melissani Cave Kefalonia

It is located near the Karavomilos village in the eastern part of the Kefalonia island about two kilometers from Sami.

The Melissani Cave or also called the Nymphs Cave, was discovered in 1951 by the speleologist Giannis Petrohilos and has a length of 160 meters, is 40 meters wide and 36 meters deep. Inside there is a lake of fresh and salt water with a constant temperature of about 10 degrees.

A marvel of nature where the earthquake of 1953 causes the ceiling in the first room to collapse, making it even more scenic thanks to the sunlight that filters and makes the water iridescent with various turquoise reflections. Inside another cave with stalactites dating back 20.000 years ago and an island that seems to have sprung up by magic.

According to mythology, the nymph Melissani, who gives her name to the cave, committed suicide by falling into the waters of the lake due to the unrequited love of the God Pan the God tied to the woods and nature. Important finds such as a terracotta statuette and a tray depicting the God Pan testify to the fact that the cave was used by the nymphs as a sacred place dedicated to him.

The best time to visit the Melissani Cave is between noon and 2.00 pm when the sun's rays are more powerful and create these games and reflections of light that give the particularity to the place.

It can be visited both with rowing boats and on foot via a path that descends to the shores of the lake. The cost is more or less € 7 per person for 15 minutes.

If you are going to spend your holidays in Kefalonia in Greece, drop by, Nature here has been really very generous.