From the depths of time to the bowels of the earth, caves have been man's first temples - places of protection, worship and discovery. Places unusually attractive and inaccessible to the many and 'mass' visitors. The case of Kefalonia deserves further investigation into the issue of caves. There in this blessed place where the visitor can get lost among the verdant slopes of Mount Ainos, the cosmopolitan beaches of Myrto and Antisamos, the traditional villages and the heavy shadows of its seismic history, there in this island land and beneath this colourful surface, a parallel universe, silent and dark, still remains largely unexplored.
When we talk about caves in Kefalonia, the names Melissani and Drogarati monopolize the public image. But the island is actually full of underground cavities, sinkholes and caves, many of which remain almost unknown even to the locals. This feature attempts a dive beneath the surface - literally and figuratively.
The island as a geological "puzzle"
Kefalonia is a geological "hell" - or paradise. The island is crossed by the most active tectonic zone in Europe, the so-called "Kefalonia Zone", where the Eurasian plate meets the African plate. Earthquakes, frequent and powerful, have been sculpting the land for millions of years, creating a unique setting: sinkholes, underground rivers, karstic fields and breathtaking caves. From 1953, when earthquakes destroyed everything, to the present day, the island continues to 'breathe' from the depths. The existence of many sinkholes (such as those near Argostoli) proves the dynamics of the island's geomorphology.
The time has come for the unknown caves to become... KNOWN
Zervatis Cave (Elios - Pronnoi)
One of the most impressive and little known caves is that of Zervatis, near Poros, where whole sections of the ground seem to have "collapsed" inwards, creating an inaccessible labyrinth. Few people know that traces of ancient cult rituals have been found inside. Scientists believe that these caves are linked to the phenomenon of the sinkholes - where seawater seeps into the subsoil and ends up... where?
Why are sinkholes a mystery?
The phenomenon of the catapults in Argostoli is perhaps the best known, but at the same time the most misunderstood. Since the 19th century, scientists have been trying to explain why seawater "disappears" into the ground and reappears in springs near Sami. In 1963, geologists Zötl and Maurin proved with a coloured tracer that there is an underground hydrological connection. This phenomenon feeds the island's underground lakes and caves, giving life to a whole underwater economy - and mythology.
Agia Sophia Cave, Lourdas
Unofficially it was used as a shelter in times of war. Although small, it has special acoustics and local people say that "you can hear voices if you sit alone inside for a long time".
Cave of Agulata
Agoulata cave is located in the mountains of Sami and is considered one of the most difficult to access. It is formed in a small gorge, and its entrance is only possible with ropes. Rare stalagmites have been recorded in its interior, while hydrological measurements have shown the presence of pure underground water with special characteristics: high magnesium content and a low temperature that remains constant throughout the year.
Aggalaki Cave
The Aggelaki cave, near Sami, is another hidden gem. It is located at an altitude of 50 meters and is characterized by an impressive stalactite decoration and lakes with clear blue waters. It impresses with its blue waters and its underground lakes.
Chiridoni Cave
In the village of Svoronata, the Chiridoni cave hides a small miracle. About 100 meters long and 40 meters deep, the cave is connected to another cave, Sotiras, through a 190-meter-long underground pipeline. A unique species of grasshopper was also found there, without wings and with atrophic eyes - a living fossil of life in the dark. A species of grasshopper Dolichopoda kefalonica, which exists nowhere else in the world. It lives in total darkness, has lost its sight and feeds on organic debris. Similar rare species have been found in the caves of Aggelaki and Agia Eleousa.
Drogaratis Cave
Completing the survey, we cannot fail to mention the two most famous caves of the island. That of Drogarati and that of Melissani, which are visited annually by hordes of visitors. The cave of Drogarati, near Sami, is a natural wonder with a history of thousands of years. Discovered by accident after an earthquake, it stands out for its magnificence, with impressive stalactites and stalagmites creating an almost theatrical setting. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, it occasionally hosts concerts, making it the only natural "amphitheatre" on the island.
Lake - Melissani Cave
Finally, the Melissani cave is perhaps the most mythical of the caves of Kefalonia. It is also located near Sami and includes an underground lake with crystal clear waters, which take on unique hues when the sun's rays pass through the cave's open ceiling. According to mythology, nymphs were worshipped here, which is why it is often called the 'Cave of the Nymphs'.
The underground world we don't see
The caves in Kefalonia were not only geological phenomena but also sites of cultural importance. Many times they were used for religious purposes - such as the cave of Agia Sophia, where according to legends there was a chapel in the rock.
Much of these caves are at risk of human intervention or abandonment. More than a few times they have been used as rubbish dumps. Underground Kefalonia is there, waiting for the adventurous. For those not content with the surface. For those who know that the true face of the island may lie somewhere between darkness and light, in the deep, cool subsoil that for centuries has been composing nature's strangest maps. The question is not whether there is something down there... but whether we are ready to discover it.
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