DRAMA
It was first explored by speleologists Yannis and Anna Petrocheilou of the Hellenic Speleological Society (H.S.S.) in 1952 but it wasn’t until 1978 that French and Greek speleologists managed to explore it in a depth of 500 meters. Their theory, based on several natural phenomena, was that Aggitis river passes through a cave. To prove this theory, they decided to dive into the river springs. In 7m. depth, they found a passage to the cave.
A great chamber was discovered reaching 500 m length. Its roof is full of stalactites, some of which have a diameter of 2m. and touch the surface of the water. Their colours are amazing, due to the existence of minerals such as manganese, iron, copper etc. Nowadays, 8.5 km have been explored and only 2.5 are accessible to visitors.You can enter the cave from the artificial entrance that has been opened and walk for 500 m. Stalactites of various forms, sizes and colors decorate the cave. As for stalagmites, their number is very limited because of the continuous flow of the river.
Visit the “Wheel chamber” and admire the amazing technical accomplishment of the local popular mechanics dating back to the 19th century. A rotatable waterjet pushed the water to a channel, specially constructed for this purpose, which led the water in the plain in order to irrigate the tobacco crops of the region. Excavations in the Cave and the surrounding area began in 1992 and have brought to light stone tools and bones of prehistoric animals (rhinoceros, megakeros (giant deer) and mammoth). Some of them are exhibited in Drama’s Museum.
"Acropolis hall" is also impressive. It is the biggest hall ever discovered in a Greek cave (120m long, 65m wide and 45m high). Its size, decoration and the river flowing along it, creating underground banks and rocky formations, composing a really eerie atmosphere that will definitely take your breath away!
Useful information:
Aggitis River cave is open to the public 365 days a year! During winter period visiting times are from 10:00 to 17:00 and during summer from 10:00 to 19:00.
For further information please contact the Aggitis Cave information desk: +3025220- 60460.
Aggitis Cave
When in the region of Drama, it is worth visiting the Aggitis cave (also called Maaras Cave), located NE of the capital, close to Prosotsani, on the south foot of Falakro mountain where the freezing Aggitis river springs from the depths of the mountain. It is the largest in length and volume cave in Greece and it is a river cave, the only one existing in Greece! The cave is an elongated natural pipe which is almost the only draining path for the waters collected in the closed basin of Kato Nevrokopi.It was first explored by speleologists Yannis and Anna Petrocheilou of the Hellenic Speleological Society (H.S.S.) in 1952 but it wasn’t until 1978 that French and Greek speleologists managed to explore it in a depth of 500 meters. Their theory, based on several natural phenomena, was that Aggitis river passes through a cave. To prove this theory, they decided to dive into the river springs. In 7m. depth, they found a passage to the cave.
A great chamber was discovered reaching 500 m length. Its roof is full of stalactites, some of which have a diameter of 2m. and touch the surface of the water. Their colours are amazing, due to the existence of minerals such as manganese, iron, copper etc. Nowadays, 8.5 km have been explored and only 2.5 are accessible to visitors.You can enter the cave from the artificial entrance that has been opened and walk for 500 m. Stalactites of various forms, sizes and colors decorate the cave. As for stalagmites, their number is very limited because of the continuous flow of the river.
Visit the “Wheel chamber” and admire the amazing technical accomplishment of the local popular mechanics dating back to the 19th century. A rotatable waterjet pushed the water to a channel, specially constructed for this purpose, which led the water in the plain in order to irrigate the tobacco crops of the region. Excavations in the Cave and the surrounding area began in 1992 and have brought to light stone tools and bones of prehistoric animals (rhinoceros, megakeros (giant deer) and mammoth). Some of them are exhibited in Drama’s Museum.
"Acropolis hall" is also impressive. It is the biggest hall ever discovered in a Greek cave (120m long, 65m wide and 45m high). Its size, decoration and the river flowing along it, creating underground banks and rocky formations, composing a really eerie atmosphere that will definitely take your breath away!
Useful information:
Aggitis River cave is open to the public 365 days a year! During winter period visiting times are from 10:00 to 17:00 and during summer from 10:00 to 19:00.
For further information please contact the Aggitis Cave information desk: +3025220- 60460.
