Heraklion Eileithyia Cave

Location: Amnissos

The cave of Eileithyia, one of the most renowned and mystical caves in Crete, lies one kilometer south of Amnissos Beach. Human presence in the cave began in prehistoric times, when it served as a dwelling place, while, during the 3rd millennium BC, it evolved into a significant worship center.

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Also known as Neraidospilios (the cave of the fairies), Eileithyia cave has been named after a mythological goddess who was said to protect pregnant women and help them to have a painless delivery with no complications. According to Homer, Hera gave birth to the goddess Eileithyia inside this very cave, which was the most important worship place dedicated to this goddess throughout the Minoan, Hellenic, Roman times and even the early Christian times (till the 5th or the 6th century AD). Its international prominence is also revealed by the large number of Egyptian items found on site - the greatest collection of Egyptian artifacts ever discovered in Crete.

The cave extends for over 64m and has an entrance on the east side. Once inside, visitors can see a rectangular anteroom and a rectangular sort of altar surrounded by cylindrical stalagmites. An interesting detail about this cave is that some of the stalactite and stalagmite formations inside it are thought to look like standing female forms, which is why it probably gained such significance. Traces of 14th or 13th-century BC buildings in the area outside the cave suggest that it was probably used for ceremonial activities.

Findings from the cave are now exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and include pottery and anthropomorphic vases.