Alistratis Cave

The cave belongs to the network of caves of the Aggitis river canyon along with four other known caves. The Alistratis cave is 6 kilometers southwest of the town of Alistratis Serres, at the location “Petroto” and is accessible both from Drama and Kavala, as well as from Thessaloniki (via Serres or Asprovalta).

According to Greek mythology, the sphinx used to appear in the gorge of the Aggitis river, which crosses the Alistratis region, in the “rocky” position. It is also said that Pluto, the god of Hades, when he stole Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, led her to the natural canal (canyon), where the Gate of Hades is located. The area mentioned in the mythology is the one located near the tourist Alistratis Cave and its other caves.

Its rich decoration includes, in addition to huge stalactites and stalagmites in various colors and the rare eccentrics. Eccentrics or helictites are rare formations that are created by “defying” the laws of gravity and following irregular paths. As the visitor progresses, the decoration becomes richer in pure white stalactites in the form of a curtain. Huge and majestic 15 m long stalactites hang from the ceiling. There are also floors in the cave which are countless and not yet known. The main feature of this cave – which makes it unique in the Greek area – is the very wide variety of eccentrics. It is also characterized by the unique microscopic organisms (3 mm) found within it, such as Alistratia Beroni, a unique species of isopod. The accessible corridors are approximately 3 km long.