The wonderful Zakynthos island offers its visitors not only dream beaches, a sea of crazy colors but also beautiful caves to be discovered. The most famous are undoubtedly the Blue Cave one of the must do on the island when you are on holiday in Zakynthos.
However, there are other enchanting beauties to visit on this beautiful island of the Ionian Archipelago such as the Damianos Caves. We find them near the Agalas village in the south west part about nine kilometers from Keri immersed in pine trees and endless olive groves. The village is divided into two, a completely new part, while the other, the old part still preserves the architecture of times gone by with stone houses and labyrinthine alleys. Do not miss the parish church “The Lady of the Angels” with an imposing bell tower from 1890. In 1978 a fire destroyed it saving however the bell tower, but it was rebuilt maintaining the same original style. In the small courtyard, an ancient building dating back to the 15th century that housed the school and where today local painting exhibitions are organized. Starting from the village through a comfortable asphalt road among rich vegetation, you arrive at a parking lot where a dirt path begins that leads to two other suggestive places. Going down, you reach the solitary Plakaki beach honestly a little difficult to reach given the sloping road carved into the rock and full of stones (it is not suitable for small children or people with motor difficulties even if there is a handrail to lean on) where however the sea has a crazy color and the seabed rich in marine fauna and flora, are a natural playground for snorkeling lovers. Don’t expect sand, Plakaki beach is actually a huge white rock.
If instead before starting the path towards Plakaki beach you go left, you will find another road that ends right at a point where you can admire the magnificent stacks that emerge from the sea as if by magic. An almost surreal landscape to immortalize in the perfect photo.
But let’s get to the Damianos Caves, one of the main attractions of the area. In reality they are two caves, a lower one reachable by a path just after a very nice tavern where we recommend you stop to eat, and an upper one just above the other where you need to climb to get there.
Around the caves there is an exciting legend that tells of the beloved king and protector of the village Damianos, who forced the ferocious dragon Andronios, 300 meters tall, to fight against him, defeating him with his horse. As punishment, the dragon had to dig twelve wells, one for each month of the year for the good and need of the inhabitants. Eleven are still visible on the surface of the ground, while the twelfth is hidden underground. All are still used to supply water to the population. The wells of Andronios the dragon, date back to the 15th century and are located on private property just outside Agalas in the middle of cultivated areas and on each one appears the name of the owner.
From both you can enjoy a breathtaking view that extends between the thick vegetation that frames it up to the sparkling blue waters of the Ionian. Inside you can see a rock that resembles the head of Damianos’ horse as well as natural stalactites and stalagmites.
You need to have your own rental vehicle, there are no scheduled buses that take you here, you need to have either a scooter or a car. The direction is south west keeping Keri as a reference point, follow the road going back up and in about twelve kilometers you will have arrived at your destination.
An interesting alternative to a day at the beach discovering the wonders that the island of Zakynthos is able to offer its visitors.
Non esitate a chiamarci. Siamo un team esperto e siamo felici di parlare con te.
+39 333 85
99121
info@meraviglioseisolegreche.com