The Cave of the Virgin Mary of Arkoudiotissa - The Bear Cave

From the Gouvernetou Monastery starts a downhill path and in ten minutes you will reach the Cave of Our Lady of Arkoudiotissa. (Continuing in 30 minutes you will reach the Catholic (or Katholiko).

The cave was named like that because of a popular folk legend, developed due to the existence of a stalagmite that resembles a bear which bends down to drink water from a stone tank into which the water is concentrated, dripping from the ceiling.

The legend says that...

"In this area were lived ascetic monks who were in need of the tank water due to water scarcity. However, the water was strangely disappearing. So one day they hid in the cave and wait to see what was happening. Well, they see a bear entering the Cave and drinking water from the tank and terrified by the presence of the bear, pleaded Mary to save them. Immediately, Our Lady did its miracle and petrified the bear. To thank Our Lady, built the chapel located in the entrance to the cave which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary."

Since then, the cave was named "Cave of the Virgin Mary of Arkoudiotissa" or more simply as "The Bear Cave."

Celebrates at 2 of February.

Directions - Map