Melidoni Cave

 The Melidoni Cave is located about 1.800 metres northwest of the village. It has an extremely interesting history and amazing archaeological findings some of which are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno.

  The Melidoni cave is also called "Gerondospilios". It was used for religious ceremonies. During the Minoan Civilization, it was a place of worship for Talos the bronze giant guardian of Crete who protected the island of Crete from enemies.

​  It is of archaeological and historical interest. In October 1.823.370 women and children and 30 warriors who hid from Hussein Bey sought refuge in the Melidoni cave. When he found out, the cave was surrounded by his army and he asked Cretan people to surrender.

  When they refused to do so, Ottomans started to attack them. Three months later they dropped combustible materials into an opening leading to the cave and set it on fire. Men, women and children lost their lives in the cave in January 1824.