Description: We return to the Sami road and turn right. After 13 kilometers we enter the tiny village of Katapodata where we turn left for Drogerati. A large pull-in is provided for cars and coaches, and is well equipped with two tavernas.
We leave the car and cross the road to the entrance where a gruff voiced Greek informs us that it’s 3.50 euros to go in. We cough up and start the steep descent into what is initially Stygian gloom but then gradually lights up as the arc lamps reach our steps.
Drogerati is one of the principal attractions on the island but goodness me, there are only 50 people down with us and it’s tight to say the least. Intense yellow arc lamps illuminate the interior casting a bright haze across the main chamber, making it difficult to compensate for photographs.
The caves are two million years old and were discovered in the 17th century. The inside stays at a constant 18c and descends to over 60m beneath the surface. The acoustics are incredible and as such, occasional classical music concerts are held down here.
The natural formations almost defy description; stalactites and stalagmites form the main features in varying colours, the results of tens of thousands of years’ gradual seepage and the resulting build up of mineral deposits. Some are relatively “new”, just a few centimetres long, some are monsters, six meters tall and two meters around.
The central chamber is cathedral-like, it’s roof soaring above our heads with an almost perfectly flat floor. Drogerati suffered no damage in 1953, such is it’s depth and thickness of walls. More people are coming down into the cave and are finding it difficult to squeeze by those on their way out. It must be insufferable in here in high summer. The steps are slippery but we are sensible enough to be wearing trainers. Incredibly, I spy a woman of around thirty wearing at least three-inch heels. Maybe she’s off clubbing later?
Drogerati Caves are a wonderful sight but controlled access would be necessary in summer to avoid queuing and bottlenecks. The arc lamps are there for a reason but they virtually preclude photography and I’m sure that people must take a tumble on the wet steps occasionally. The chap on the entrance looked and sounded like he’d lost £10 and found a penny and the tavernas at the car-park were over-priced for average quality food.
But it’s all about geology in the end and Drogerati competes with anything that Postojna in Croatia or Cheddar in Somerset can offer.
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