the Idaean Cave
Just on the fringes of the village is a road which goes to the
spectacular plateau of Nida on Mt. Psiloritis. The road
terminates at the Idaean Caves, some 22 kilometres further on up
steep mountain roads. There is a taverna and a little church
close to the entrance to the caves. According to Greek
mythology, this cave is where Zeus was raised by the goddess
Rhea, to keep him safe from his father Kronos. The cave is open
most of the time for exploring, although it is often wet and
slippery inside the large cavern and its inner sanctum.
The Idaean caves are not the only ones in the area.
Just west of Anogia, close to the village of Zoniana, is the
spectacular cave of Sendi of Sphendoni which has striking
stalagmites and stalactites. Also, in this area is the cave of
Melidoni or Yerondospillia , which was used for cult purposes
during the Minoan to the Roman times.
It was here that 400 unarmed inhabitants of the nearby village
were massacred by the Turks during the Occupation.
There is a new National Highway that runs along the coast from
Heraklion westwards which passes through many popular seaside
resorts and interesting villages. A short distance inland off
this road, in lush ravine, is the remote monastery of
Savvathianon in the charming little village of Rogdia.
A little further inland from this monastery is a second, the
monastery of Ayios Pandeleimon.
Back on the coastal road, heading west are many attractive
seaside resorts, including the very attractive Panormos with its
wide sandy beach and clear blue sea. It is quiet and unspoilt
with plenty of Cretan culture. There is a good selection of
shops and tavernas without being overly commercialised like much
of this northern coast of Crete. .