Lassithi Trapeza cave

Location: Tzermiado

Trapeza Cave, or Kronion Andron as it is also called, is a very impressive cave close to Tzermiado, the largest village of the Lassithi Plateau. Lying between Tzermiado and the Marmaketo village, at an altitude of 860 meters, it can be reached through the road that connects the two villages. An uphill path lined with thick oak trees leads to the inconspicuous mouth of the cave, where the view of the Lassithi Plateau is just stunning.

A narrow passage with walls that are green with moss leads to the inside of the cave, which consists of two halls. The cave is decorated with stalactite and stalagmite formations, but, unfortunately, many of them have been destroyed as a result of human activity.

Inside this cave, archaeologists have found traces of activity dating back to prehistoric times. In fact, in the Neolithic era, Trapeza Cave was used as a dwelling place, while after the foundation of the Minoan settlement on the nearby Kastelos hill, the cave served as a cult and burial place. Excavations have revealed gold foils, faience and ivory figurines, and even Egyptian scarabs.

Having been associated with the myth regarding the birth of Zeus, Kronion Andron is one of the most historic caves in the Lassithi Plateau. As the story goes, the Titan Cronus ate all his children, as it had been foretold that he would be overthrown by one of his progeny. When Rhea gave birth to Zeus in the Kronion Cave, she hid him in the Dikteon Cave in order to save him.