The cave of Agia Fotini is located on Mount Louloudaki, 7km south of the village of Avdos and at an altitude of 760m. The cave is used as a temple dedicated to Agia Fotini. Despite the fact that the visitable part of the cave is 44m long, the total length of the known routes inside the cave reaches 700m. 35km east of Heraklion there is the village of Avdou, where there is a sign to "Cave of St. Fotini 7 km". From there begins a dirt road, which leads to a plateau lower than the entrance of the cave. Following the uphill path on foot, the visitor arrives at the entrance of the cave.
The cave.
The entrance to the cave opens into an impressive and steep cliff, formed by the abrupt transition of the limestone rocks. The view from the entrance to the plain of Abdos, also known as Lagada, is magnificent. The cave has a known length of 44m, width of 1.8-7.5m and height of 5.3-20m. However, the total length of its routes, unknown to many visitors, reaches 700m. At the entrance there is an iconostasis, while 12m further there is an underground cavity. From there begins a narrow corridor, which is an old river bed, which leads to the last visitable room of the cave. This hall is used as a church dedicated to Saint Fotini. At the beginning of the hall there is a stone staircase with 6 steps and 2 stalagmites that call them "knees of Agia Fotini". Here pilgrims leave their candles. At the back of the hall, a small spectacular space serves as a Holy Plinth and above it is the "anogeion", where you can see the wooden winch supports, with which the inhabitants raised various valuable items during the Turkish occupation, in order to hide them. Next to the Sanctuary rises a spectacular white and massive column, 6.5m high.
Tradition.
According to tradition, Saint Fotini was looking for some quiet and isolated place from the rest of the people, so that she could devote the rest of her life to God. But while he couldn't find the place he wanted, the Virgin Mary appeared and performed a miracle, opened the cave in the rock, so that Agia Fotini could enter. Also according to tradition, women who have trouble conceiving, praying in the cave and drinking the holy water that drips from the ceiling, give birth and always have boys.
Past.
Agia Fotini is also mentioned in historical records as a monastery. P. Faure states that the cave worship began in the 19th century. Perhaps there were sporadic monks - hermits in the surrounding caves. However, no traces of an organized monastic complex can be seen. But it is known that at the end of the 19th century at least one monk lived there. The cave of Agia Fotini was famous as a hiding place during the Cretan Revolutions. In their report by the residents of Avdos to the bishop of Petra, Today, the temple is easily accessible and known to many people. Several people go to the cave for pilgrimage or as simple visitors. A great festival is held in the cave on the fourth Sunday after Easter. A large folk festival follows in the square, located opposite the Cave of Agia Fotini, on a lower level and where the church of Agia Anna and Agios Ioannis Theologos is located, in an idyllic landscape overlooking the entire basin of Langada.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou