A natural refuge from the past
Located just outside the traditional village of Dryopida, Katafyki Cave is a natural monument of Kythnos, filled with stalactites and stories. It is one of the largest caves in Greece and is considered among the most impressive geological attractions in the Cyclades.
The cave was used for centuries as a natural refuge, hence its name, "katafygio” meaning shelter or refuge. Inhabitants were protected here from pirate raids and wars, whilst during the German occupation it served as a gathering place and sanctuary for the people of Dryopida. For a time, the cave also operated as an iron ore mine, traces of which can still be discerned on the walls.
The cave's corridors extend 600m. in length and cover an area of approximately 3,500 sq.m. Just ten metres past the entrance, you will see the so-called little square and further on the big square, where residents used to dance on Easter Eve in a custom they called “Magali Labran”.
The sight of the chamber with stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and colours will truly captivate you, with the most famous formation being what locals call “Father Christmas” due to its characteristic form. Other formations have names such as the “octopus”, the “teddy bear”, the “jellyfish” and the “Tower of Babel”.
The colours of the rocks, alternating from white to amber and deep red, bear witness to the presence of metallic oxides. The route is relatively easy and short, whilst inside the temperature remains constant at around 17°C.
Visit the cave with a local guide from Dryopida and combine the trip with a stop at the village's Folklore Museum. Plan your visit early in the morning to avoid the humidity and enjoy the serenity of the landscape surrounding the cave.
Observe the natural colours of the rocks under the light of torches, a setting that constantly changes. Here, every falling drop seems to narrate a piece of the Aegean's geological history.
The cave was used for centuries as a natural refuge, hence its name, "katafygio” meaning shelter or refuge. Inhabitants were protected here from pirate raids and wars, whilst during the German occupation it served as a gathering place and sanctuary for the people of Dryopida. For a time, the cave also operated as an iron ore mine, traces of which can still be discerned on the walls.
The cave's corridors extend 600m. in length and cover an area of approximately 3,500 sq.m. Just ten metres past the entrance, you will see the so-called little square and further on the big square, where residents used to dance on Easter Eve in a custom they called “Magali Labran”.
The sight of the chamber with stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and colours will truly captivate you, with the most famous formation being what locals call “Father Christmas” due to its characteristic form. Other formations have names such as the “octopus”, the “teddy bear”, the “jellyfish” and the “Tower of Babel”.
The colours of the rocks, alternating from white to amber and deep red, bear witness to the presence of metallic oxides. The route is relatively easy and short, whilst inside the temperature remains constant at around 17°C.
Visit the cave with a local guide from Dryopida and combine the trip with a stop at the village's Folklore Museum. Plan your visit early in the morning to avoid the humidity and enjoy the serenity of the landscape surrounding the cave.
Observe the natural colours of the rocks under the light of torches, a setting that constantly changes. Here, every falling drop seems to narrate a piece of the Aegean's geological history.
