The discovery of the Cave became when a Shepherd had lain to seek refuge from heavy rain. When he returned to the village, some people noticed that at the back of his shirt, there was a face. When they went back to the place that the shepherd had lain they discovered the Cave. Inside the Cave they found an icon of St. John the Prodrome. That’s how the cave got its name. Every year on the eve of 28th of August, the celebration of St. John takes place. Many people attend the vespers ceremony that is held inside the Cave, under the light of the candles.
The Cave is rich with stalactites, stalagmites and a rare kind of Cave-Milk. It is the largest Cave in Cyclades and one of the best in Greece. Rumours say that the cave reach the island of Ios underwater.
The visitors must go on kneets for 4 meters distance in order to enter the Cave of St. John. With good lighting, the visitor can explore the central room and some other rooms more deep, known as: `[Water room]' where a cavity of stalagmites gathers potable water, `[Sapouni ]' where exists cave-milk, `[Kampanes]' where striking the stalactites a sound like bell is heard, `[the Piano]’ where striking the stalagmites is heard like music and a lot of other rooms.
Attention: It is good to have with you somebody who knows the cave, so as to show you around .It is also necessary to have athletic shoes and torch.
The area known as ‘Vrisi’ is located near the village of Panagia. Visitors can drink spring water from the traditional well.
From the top of Papas Hill you can enjoy the panoramic view of the nearby Islands.
It is interesting to see the old village of Ag. Athanasios with its stone houses of traditional Cycladic architecture.
The bay of Meriha is surrounding by cliffs about 100m high, where wild pigeons and buzzards nest.
A Cycladic Symbol with rare architecture and revolving roof. It is used to produce flour with windmill in the old years.
The cleared footpaths offer to the visitors a chance to exercise and explore the natural environment of the island. You can enjoy scenery of incredible beauty, rocks strewn with wild flowers, wild birds nesting in high cliffs and colorful small reptiles sunbathing.
‘Idriada’ is the first floating wind turbine Worldwide that uses the produced power in an embedded fully operational plant for producing potable water. On a special floating platform a wind turbine and a photovoltaic system, produce and supply, through advanced electrical and electronic energy conversion components, energy to a desalination unit which uses reserve osmosis technique, in order to produce potable water from the sea. No chemical additives are used in the desalination process.
A German Seaplane type of Arado Ar196 is wrecked in the area known as ‘Alimia’ since the B’ World War. The Seaplane is visible from the top of the sea and every one can visit it. It is just 8 meters deep. Read more...
‘Hercules Castle’ is where a lot of archeological findings ,belonging to the Neolithic Age, were discovered. Around the Castle, his wall is distinguished his in all almost his length, two towers of fortification and residues of ancient buildings.
According to the fable, Cyclops live at this cave when Odysseus visit him in order to blind him. From his rage , the blind Cyclops, flew to him Stones in order to sink Odysseus’s boat who tried to escape. This Stones are the rocky islands Small and Big ‘Abelas’ which are located near the coast. Another treasure of our Island exists in the cave of Cyclops .On a wall is portrayed a picture engraved in the natural rocks that resembles Christ and Virgin Mary. Cyclops Cave is located next to the St. John Cave.