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Prefectures of Crete
Chania Prefecture
Municipality of ChaniaMunicipality of ApokoronasMunicipality of PlataniasMunicipality of KissamosMunicipality of Kandanos - SelinosMunicipality of GavdosMunicipality of Sfakia
Rethymnon Prefecture
Municipality of RethymnonMunicipality of MylopotamosMunicipality of AmariMunicipality of Agios VasiliosMunicipality of Anogia
Heraklion Prefecture
Municipality of HeraklionMunicipality of MaleviziMunicipality of Archanon - AsterousionMunicipality of FestosMunicipality of GortynaMunicipality of ChersonissosMunicipality of Minoa PediadosMunicipality of Viannos
Lassithi Prefecture
Municipality of MirampeloMunicipality of SitiaMunicipality of IerapetraMunicipality of Oropedio
Arkoudospilios (Bear Cave) or the Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa
Arkoudospilios (Bear Cave) or the Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa
Arkoudospilios (Bear Cave) or the Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa is located in Akrotiri, 2 km north of the monastery Merciful, Groove in the Gorge. The cave is known for the bear-shaped rock that made the cave a place of worship of the ancient goddess Artemis.
The name comes from the cave stalagmite in the form of a bear about to drink water, located near the entrance of the cave. In front of the "bear" is a small pond with water. According to legend, the Virgin Mary petrified the bear that stole the scarce water in the cave monks, who were suffering from thirst.
The cave is an old riverbed that now of course no longer exists and consists of a large room, ceiling blackened by fire. The church celebrates on February 2 (the Presentation of Christ), with many locals flock to the cave and the night lighting fires. For this reason and the roof of the cave is blackened. There is a smaller second chamber from which one enters through a very narrow passage. After this chamber there is another then the cave but the nip is very small in amplitude and cannot penetrate human body.
Prefectures of Crete
