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Kapsia Cave
The Kapsia Cave has been listed among the top ten of Greece’s most important caves, and as one of the most remarkable caves with stalactites and stalagmites in Southern Europe. This magnificent cave is home to some of the most beautiful art works sculpted by nature itself over thousands of years. Located in the heart of the Mantineia plateau, just 15 km away from Tripoli and next to the village of Kapsia after which is named, the Kapsia Cave is a must for any traveler seeking to discover the unknown side of Greece.
The history of the Kapsia Cave
The cave was first found by the French archaeologist Gustave Fouzer in 1887, who was making excavations in ancient Mantinia. However, the first proper excavation took place on August 20, 1892 by a Greek-French team headed by Nicholas Sideridis and two French engineers. The Greek engineer published the findings in the French scientific journal Spelunga in 1911, bringing the Kapsia Cave to world of fame. This publication was the most important Greek speleological article of the time and marks the beginning of the awakening of interest in the study of Greek caves.
In 1974 a new Greek-French expedition was carried out under the leadership of I. Ioannou. A new part of the cave was discovered with traces of old floods and numerous fragments of human bones and skulls were found, all covered with mud about half a meter thick. The skeletons found in the cave were of both males and females and of various ages (from infants of 5-10 months old to adults of about 50 years old). Additionally, lamps were also found that probably belong to the late Greek period (4th and 5th century AD).
The cave is part of a system of active and inactive sinkholes that drained the Madinia basin. Multicolored stalactites and stalagmites compose a unique and impressive canvas. The biggest chamber known as “the hall of Miracles” features the rarest coloring of lithic material of any other known cave in Greece. Fire red, yellow, and greenish blue mixed with the off-white stalactites, offer a unique spectacle of natural art. Stalactites of different shapes can be seen on the roof of every chamber within the cave and are equally beautiful.
The works for making the cave a tourist attraction completed in 2009, and the cave opened to the public for the first time on October 10, 2010. So far 6,500m² have been explored. In November 2020 a team of Greek speleologists found a path within the cave that connects it to Cave Tousi. The team is currently mapping the connection, trying to figure out the total length which is expected to be several kilometers long.
The Kapsia Cave is an absolutely wonderful place to visit. If you’re heading across the Peloponnese then it is definitely worth a slight detour to visit this cave. The tour is great for families and lasts around 45 minutes. The guides are very knowledgeable and kind. They will tour you around the cave and answer all your questions.
How to get to the Cave of Kapsia
If you set off from Athens, head towards Tripoli via the Corinth-Tripoli highway, and after the toll station of Nestani, exit the highway and head towards Vytina. While heading towards the Ski Resort of Mainalo, you will come across the village of Kapsia. Follow the signs you will find in the village and you will reach the cave in 1.5 km.
Kapsia Cave Opening hours
The cave is open daily from 9:00 am to 15:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:30 am to 15:30 pm. On Tuesday the cave is closed. Touching the stalactites and stalagmites is now allowed.
Distance table
- Kapsia Cave – Tripoli: 16,8 km
- Kapsia Cave – Mantinia: 3,9 km
- Kapsia Cave – Vytina: 30,6 km
- Kapsia Cave - Athens: 156 km
