Agiasmatzi Cave (Spilaio Agiasmatzi)

A cultic cave with more than 3000 years of history. The ascent is arduous and only recommended in the early morning in summer. The cave entrance is difficult to find (not where you suspect it is behind a wall and as my predecessor described it, but about 50 m above to the right). Access requires some climbing, especially downhill, not without it. The entrance to the first cave chamber is about 50 cm high, similar to the one in the second chamber. Torch absolutely necessary. You should have a head for heights and not be claustrophobic.
A study carried out as part of the Sphakia Survey (Oxford University, t1p.de/agiasmatzi) shows that the cave functioned as a place of worship especially in the Hellenistic-Roman period (100 BC +/- 200). On the basis of the numerous ceramic finds (e.g. ladles, cups, pots and oil lamps, but also pigs and cattle bones) it can be concluded that ritual food and drink were used there in that era. When Crete was largely Christianized in the 3rd century - the two early Christian churches in Frangokastelo, Agios Nikitas and Astratigos, testify to this - the cave seems to have been used primarily for beekeeping, which is indicated by fragments of ceramic bees' baskets.