Gerani

The Gerani Cave is located six kilometers west of Rethymno and is accessible through an exit from the highway (the New National Road Rethimno - Chania).

It lies down at the sea, where there is also a nice little beach. This cave was rediscovered by chance in 1969, during excavations for the construction of a bridge. Until its rediscovery the entrance had been blocked by a huge boulder which probably fell in an earthquake. Both the modern and ancient entrances face north. The cave is 50m long, at a width of between 0.5 and 17m and a maximum height of 4.5m. Impressive rock formations are to be found within.

Excavations led by the archaeologist Ioannis Tzedakis revealed that the cave was in use as early as the Neolithic Age. It served as a place of worship and burial; both animal and human skeletons have been found. At the ancient entrance there is a staircase reminiscent of the type seen at Knossos, with eight steps, five of which are carved into the rock.