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Archaeological site

Cave of Euripides

The excavation of the "Cave of Euripides" in the Peristeria region of Salamina was carried out by the deputy professor of Prehistoric Archeology of the University of Ioannina, Mr. Giannos G. Lolo. The excavations were carried out during the period 1994 - 1997 with the participation of archaeologists, speleologists and archeology students. On the path leading to the cave, the sanctuary of Dionysos was discovered, after excavations in the wider area of the cave that took place between 1998 and 2000. These excavations were supported financially by various agencies as well as by the Municipality of Salamina. The cave is located near Ormos Peristeria, one of the best anchorages, at the southernmost point of Salamis. Completely invisible from the coast, it has a very narrow entrance, located on the steep side of an imposing limestone mass, at an altitude of 115 meters above sea level. The natural rocky andris (plateau) of its entrance, bathed in light, at a level literally "between heaven and earth", offers a spectacular view of the sea expanse of the Saronic, with the topography of Aegina, the peninsula of Methana and Troizenos. The cave has a total length of approximately (47) meters and includes (10) chambers. Its interior, divided by a stalagmite curtain into two parts, is a dark labyrinth of small low-ceilinged chambers, corridors, syringes and infinite alcoves. With its peculiar morphology and atmosphere, it brings to life the description of the cave of the great tragedian in Salamis by the Roman Aulus Gellius: "unpleasant and terrifying". From the research and findings, it was proven that the cave functioned during six different periods of Greek Prehistory and history, namely: during the Newer and Theic Neolithic, Late Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Imperial eras and during the Frankish occupation. Among the finds there were also objects of special value such as a short Mycenaean bronze sword, as well as jewelry and Greco-Roman and Frankish coins, a sumptuous skyphos with reliefs of Dionysian scenes, dating to the Roman Imperial era, also Neolithic finds such as potsherds of various shapes and stone tools from (flint and obsidian stone) supplied from Milos. With the excavations of 1996, a melambathic skyphos was found, from the 5th c. BC, partially preserved with the name of Euripides on its outer side. The cave was also used for religious purposes. References to the cave, where Euripides retired to write his plays, are found in texts (4) of ancient authors: In the work of Philochoros, a systematic and reliable historian of the early 3rd century BC. In the work of Satyros, a Greek writer who lived in Oxyrhynchus in Upper Egypt during the 3rd or 2nd century. e.g. In a biographical text of late Greek Antiquity, entitled Genus Euripides and Life, by an anonymous author. In a chapter of the book Noctes Atticae (Attic Nights) by Aulus Gellius, a Roman writer of the middle of the 2nd century AD, who even describes the cave and states that he visited it during his stay in Athens. The findings as well as all the above references that describe the cave of Euripides, correspond and match exactly with the specific cave of Salamis. Thus they allow us to safely identify the space with the famous cave - retreat of the great tragic Euripides in Salamis. The findings of the cave are today in the Archaeological Museum of Salamis. (The text was written by Ms. Maria Butsi). This point of interest is mountainous and rural. Suitable Visiting Season: All year round. It is not accessible by public transport. There is no cost or ticket. Visiting hours: Open 24 hours a day. Source of photographic material: salamina.gr 

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Δημαρχείο Σαλαμίνας

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Κ. Καραμανλή & Αμμοχώστου 1
• 189 00 • Σαλαμίνα

Τηλέφωνο: (+30) 213 2027300
Email: info@salamina.gov.gr

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