Cave of the Nymphs

Also called Marmarospilia. It is identified with the Homeric Cave of the Nymphs, as the findings of archaeological research show that in ancient times it was a place of worship of the Nymphs. Furthermore, the shape and location of the cave go with the description from the rhapsody N of Odyssey: The Cave of the Nymphs, at an altitude of 190 meters above the bay of Dexa (the Homeric port Forkynas), where the Phaeacians left Odysseus sleeping. Then the hero hid in the cave of the Nymphs the gifts of King Alcinoos of the Phaeacians.

The Cave of the Nymphs has two entrances: one is located at the foot of the hill, near the beach and is no longer accessible. The paved road leads to the contemporary entrance, where via a ladder and a descend of ten meters we can approach the cave of the Nymphs, filled with stalactites. Archaeological investigations had approached the second level of the cave (also referred by Homer), but where suddenly aborted a few years ago and today only the entrance to the cave of the Nymphs is accessible to the visitors.

The findings of the archaeological excavations are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Ithaca in Vathi.