Kamaraki Village

It is a small village 25 km away from Heraklion, between Gonies and Astiraki villages, and on 540 m. elevation. As you enter Kamaraki, there is a very old traditional water mill worth seeing, while in a distance of 500 m. away from the village is the easily approached ‘Hainospilios’ cave. The cave was at one remote time an underground river with a length of about 200 m. It consists of large size chambers, nicely decorated with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Many look like precious crystal chandeliers. This dark cave is on top of the list of the most decorative Cretan caves. The cave has an archeological interest too, as a number of Minoan shards were found, proving its ancient use. During the Ottoman occupation of Crete,the cave provided refugee for many resistance members, including the notorious Yianni Palmeti from Kamaraki village. (1795-1836)

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