Discover Tzermiado: Trapeza Cave and archaeology

Explore Tzermiado through Trapeza Cave, also known as Kronio, and discover both its cultural history and its landscape. The cave is located in the village and is considered an important archaeological and cultural monument of Crete. From the entrance, the view stretches across the Lasithi Plateau; inside, chambers, niches and stalactite formations define the site. Here, archaeological themes and a direct view of the landscape come together in one place.

Cave formations and views of the landscape

The narrow entrance leads into a small chamber with stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, while stalagmites grow upwards from the floor; this distinction makes the terms easy to understand even without specialist knowledge. There are also small columns in some of the niches, and the cave has two main chambers with niches. To take it all in, you can alternate between looking at the individual formations and the layout of the two main chambers.

Finds, chronology and local tradition

Trapeza Cave was systematically excavated in 1935 by British archaeologist John Pendlebury. The finds date from the Neolithic to the Byzantine period. Local tradition also links the cave with the worship of the mythical god Kronos. There is also a historical interpretation, explicitly presented as a supposition: the cave is thought to have served as a burial site and sanctuary during the period when Kastelos was inhabited. Votive offerings, including pre-palatial ivory figurines, were found in the cave. The history of the finds and the local tradition about Kronos offer different ways to explore the cave’s past.

The path to the cave entrance

A paved path with steps climbs to the cave entrance, lined with kermes oaks. The ascent takes about five minutes. This estimate gives you an idea of the duration; the incline, paving and steps also define the nature of the route. Take both into account when planning your day, and check the current access conditions before your visit.

Archaeological sites in the surrounding area

Several archaeological sites are also located in the area around Tzermiado. At Kastelos, east of the village, burials and dwellings dating from the Neolithic to the Middle Minoan period have been found. A cave in the Argoulia area, a locality within Tzermiado, yielded shells dating from the Neolithic to the Late Minoan period. Burials from the Neolithic period have been found in the cave at Skafidia, also a locality within the village. Comparing the sites brings their different features into focus: Kastelos has both dwellings and burials, Argoulia has shell finds dating as far back as the Late Minoan period, and Skafidia has Neolithic burials.

Choose the focus of your stay

Tzermiado is a particularly natural choice when searching for a holiday rental if Trapeza Cave is your main focus: it is located in the village. If you would like your stay to cover a broader range of archaeology, you can also include nearby sites in your plans. This lets you choose what to focus your search on, depending on whether the cave itself or the wider variety of archaeological finds matters more to you.

Discover more destinations: Kouremenos, Sfáka, Istro, Ierapetra, Magoulás, Aghia Pelagia, Riza, Pacheia Ammos

Go to the broader travel overview: Lasithi.