Ancient sites · Marathokampos
Cave of Pythagoras
Photo: Tomisti · CC BY-SA 4.0
The cave on Mount Kerkis where tradition says Pythagoras hid from Polycrates and taught.
About
West of Marathokampos, at about 300 m on the flanks of Mount Kerkis, open the caves that island tradition ties to Pythagoras — the refuge he is said to have taken from Polycrates' anger, with a spring for water. Forty steps cut into the rock climb to the chapel of Panagia Sarantaskaliotissa ('of the forty steps'), Byzantine in origin, from when monks sheltered here. The chapel of St John the Theologian stands along the way up.
Practical
- Duration
- 2 hours 30 min
- Price
- Free
- Season
- Spring & autumn
- Accessibility
- Not accessible: a road reaches a small parking area, then a steep rocky path and rock-cut steps. Going past the railing into the deeper cave is forbidden without permission from the Ministry of Culture. Bring a torch, water and proper shoes; avoid midday heat.
Nearby
Sea & diving · Votsalakia
Fun Under Greek Sun Boat & Kayak Rental
1.4 km
Hiking · Votsalakia
Mount Kerkis – Vigla summit ascent
2.5 km
Beaches · Votsalakia
Votsalakia Beach
2.5 km
Wine & food producers · Marathokampos
Coutsodontis Family Winery
2.7 km
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