Milatos Cave


About 15km east of Malia, Milatos Cave is easily reached and fun to explore, although you'll need a torch (flashlight) and good shoes to explore the warren of often slippery chambers with their bizarre stalagmites and stalactites. There are several entrances, including one leading straight to a moving chapel that commemorates Cretan victims of a Turkish massacre that took place here in 1823.


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2. East Magazines

4.91 MILES

The east magazines (storerooms) once contained stacks of giant pithoi (pots) containing liquids and staples.

3. Oblique Building

4.91 MILES

Strangely situated and at odds with the rest of the design of the palace, this building has been dated to the 13th century BC, and was probably used by…

4. Hypostyle Hall

4.91 MILES

The hall was a large room with six pillars, presumably supporting a second floor and/or roof. Many decorated ceramics were found here, leading…

5. North Court

4.91 MILES

The area known as the North Court was once lined with workshops and storage rooms.

6. Central Court

4.92 MILES

The Central Court is the main court, measuring an impressive 48m long and 22m wide. On its western side archaeologists discovered one of the Kernos Stones…

7. Altar Pit

4.92 MILES

Believed to be an altar where animals were sacrificed (many bone remains were found here).

8. Grand Staircase

4.93 MILES

This was the main staircase that led to the 'piano nobile', where important rooms such as reception areas were located.