An unusual place on the island of Kefalonia
The open-air cave of Melissani, now known for its exceptional setting, shelters a natural body of water mixing fresh and salt water. This perfect alchemy is the fruit of seawater, driven by the land, which nourishes a freshwater lake. Bordered by both a generous forest and the mountain, this magical place is only accessible by boat.
An open-air cave of natural beauty
The cave of Melissani is distinguished in particular by the absence of part of its ceiling, whose limestone has eroded over the years. Thanks to this wide opening, the cave is pierced by the rays of the sun and turns, in the middle of the day, into a real well of light.
Each hour of the day offers a different setting
Lit by natural light, the Melissani cave is never revealed in the same way. Depending on the time of day, the weather and the position of the sun, the colors of the open-air parts of the wall are available in multiple tones.
In the middle of the day, tourists will be seduced by the turquoise blue or the dazzling purple of the rock, while at sunrise or in the evening, the walls turn pale pink or brown.
A cave rich in history
Discovered in 1951 by Giannis Petrocheilos, this unique place owes its name to Greek mythology. According to legend, this cave hosted the nymphs. One of them, named Melissani, would have drowned there after a disappointment in love.
Each year, thousands of tourists come to enjoy this magical panorama rich in history.
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