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Drakoulaki
Drakoulaki Cave is located close to Agios Ioannis village at south Lefka Ori, Sfakia region, west Crete. A small opening at the root of a cliff leads to a whole different world in the bowels of the earth.
The sand, the stalagmite designs, the small transparent lakes and the absolute silence that prevails, create a memorable experience. The first 400 meters are compatible for everyone but from there, the descent can be done only by experienced cavers. The Drakoulaki Cave is located northeast of Agios Ioannis and the path leading there is about two and a half hours.
Places near Drakoulaki
In one of the most traditional regions of Crete, strict, unwritten moral and ethical laws are still in power. Most of the impressive houses of the village are nowadays destroyed, and evidence of the "battle" between the two families, are the 2 seperate cemeteries (one for each large family).
Ruins of the ancient Aradin are to be found near the village of Aradena. The road from Aradena leads on the the mountain village of Agios Ioannis where there are two more Byzantine churches.It is believed that it was founded by Phoenicians. Its name is related to the Phoenecian word Aruad, which means refuge. A homonymous city existed also in Phoeniki. The place is also famous, nowdays, because of the iron bridge which crosses the gorge of Aradena, nearby the village.
Aradena is located in the western area of the gorge, at Sfakia. The gorge separates the plateau of Aradena with that of Anopolis, in the west of Agia Roumeli and near Agios Ioannis.
The ruins of ancient Araden are preserved at Passopetra location, near the village Aradena. It was independent city and it was one of the thirty cities of the often-cited decree.
The ancient necropolis is at Xenotafi location. Phoenix was the port of Aradena. It is believed that Phoenician colonisers established it and they link the name of the city with the Phoenician word Aruad, which means shelter. In Phoenicia, there was a city with the same name. Aradena was flourishing until the last centuries of Venetian dominion and the first century of the Turkish dominion. Its citizens were working on sailing and trading. In the Revolution of Daskalogiannis against the Turks of the Ottoman Empire, the village was utterly ruined.
To Aradaina, we can go via Chora Sfakion and Anopolis.
The Aradena bridge (2 km before Agios Ioannis) is one of the highest in Europe. The road beyond Anopoli ends at Agios Ioannis; only hiking trails lead back to the coast. Although dead ends are always disappointing, the road from Hora Sfakion to Agios Ioannis is worth driving every kilometer—in both directions. At the end of the road from Chora Sfakion to Anopoli and Aradena lies the small village of Agios Ioannis. It has a beautiful church, Agia Panagia, with very old frescoes. Around are several impressively large caves.
Here is your opportunity to discover a real cretan village and another, more authentic side of Crete.
It is located on the edge of a plateau at an altitude of 800 m. On one side the towering summits of the White Mountains rise up, on the other side, steep 600 meters cliffs plunge into the Lybian Sea.
There is a walk from Agia Roumeli (Samaria Gorge) to Agios Ioannis This walk starts along the coast, passing by the almost deserted beach of Agios Pavlos, then climbs up through a pine forest on an ancient path to the village of Agios Ioannis. Splendid views and a chance to see bearded vultures if you are lucky.
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