CAVE OF AGIA SOFIA

CHURCH OF “WISDOM OF GOD”

The Agia Sofia Cave, and in it the church of “Wisdom of God”, is located in Kissamos County, after the tunnel leading through the Topolia Gorge, to the right.
Kissamos is 14 km and Chania is 45.6 km away.

GPS is very important! – because there are no street names in Western Crete. GPS: [swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] 35.411227, 23.682497 [/swpm_protected]

CHURCH OF “WISDOM OF GOD”

The cave was a place of worship in ancient times. This is evidenced by the fact, that a clay figure from the 4th century BC was found in the cave.

Traces of early Minoan, Late Minoan, Hellenistic and Roman pottery were found in the cave.

To the left of the entrance to the cave is the small church of “Wisdom of God”.

150 steps lead from the car park to the entrance to the cave. Next to the stairs leading to the cave, there is a restaurant. The road uphill is interesting and not strenuous, because looking to the right, we can see the Topolia Gorge. It is worth taking small breaks, because there is a wonderful view of the gorge.

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″]If we are lucky, we can see eagles or hawks flying in the gorge. There are wild fig trees in several places next to the cave. As we go up the stairs, we arrive at a small rest area.

Right side: the look-out point. The view of the whole gorge is fabulous, from this place.[/swpm_protected]

Left side: the entrance to the cave, by this time we are already in 285 meters high. The width of the entrance is 25 m. Its height varies, but at many points it reaches 20 m.

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] If we enter: we can see two premises of different heights, in which stalagmites fascinate us.

The first place resembles a dome: 20 meters high and 70 meters in diameter. We will be greeted by a wonderful sight. The stalactite formations that have formed over millennia are magical.[/swpm_protected]

The stalactites: deposits hanging from the ceiling of a cave.

The stalagmites: project the deposits forward: from the cave floor upwards.

There are many pigeons living in the cave. The soil is moist, but not particularly slippery.

Attention:

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″]

– To visit the cave, everyone should bring a flashlight or a mobile phone with a flashlight! The part behind the middle part is dark. Safe walking is only possible with a flashlight!

-Suitable shoes are recommended for a safe visit to the cave. Beach slippers are very dangerous! The road leads between the stalagmites, which are of different heights.[/swpm_protected]

AllForTrip

If we started from the left, we would move from the top down.

If we started the visit from the right, we would first [swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] get to the back of the cave: this part is dark, a flashlight is needed.

From this part, we can go up, to the middle part of the cave. The cave is impressive. The harmony of the varied colors, the different shapes, the interesting stalactites and the stalagmites are wonderful. [/swpm_protected]

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] The entrance: large, huge opening, so the first part of the cave is bright.

On the left side: the small church. On the other side of the church – after the church: we can get to the middle of the cave. Here is also has enough light.

On the right side: the dome-shaped room. [/swpm_protected]

The size of the stalagmites is truly incredible: some are five to six meters. The stalactites are about the same size. But they are still about four to five meters apart – this shows the huge size of the place. In several places, algae completely obscured the rocks. They form a dark green coating. Stalagmites offer infinite variety, from extremely high conical formations to very short forms.