Melidonio Cave, also known as Gerontospilios, is one of the most historic and impressive caves of Crete. It is located approximately 18 kilometers southeast of Rethymno and is a reference point for the region.The cave is of great historical importance, as it has been linked to one of the greatest tragedies of Cretan history. In October 1823, 340 women and children and 30 men from Melidoni fortified themselves in the cave to avoid the Ottoman army. When the Ottomans learned of their hiding place, they locked them in and burned them alive.Apart from its historical importance, the Melidoni Cave is also of great interest from a geological point of view. The stalactites and stalagmites that adorn the interior of the cave were created over thousands of years and are a unique geological phenomenon.
