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Greece
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Crete Region
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Heraklion
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Tours & Activities
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The Dictaean Cave: The Birthplace of Zeus self-guided mobile tour
50 min
About this activity
The Dictaean Cave: The Birthplace of Zeus is not for the faint-hearted. This is a cave, after all, with a long pedigree of visitors who encountered something unexpected.
Ask poor Epimenides. He went looking for a lost sheep and entered the cave to rest. He woke up 57 years later without having aged at all. In a most remarkable demonstration of persistence, he kept looking for that errant sheep before he realized what had happened. And what about the band of young delinquents (Laius, Celeus, Cerberus and Aegolius) who decided to steal honey from the cave and found themselves before the swaddling-clothes of Zeus? It was a good thing they were in a sacred place where murder was a profanity, otherwise Zeus would have killed them instantly with his thunderbolt for snooping in his closet.
Fortunately, not all visitors have to suffer for their adventurous decision to enter the cave. Europa found her bridal bed here and an array of impressive wedding gifts: a gold dog that excelled in the hunt, a bronze giant, and a quiver with arrows that always hit their target. Minos, the legendary ruler of Crete, would come here to chat with his father, Zeus, and receive the new laws for humanity. And the archaeologists who used explosives to explore the cave came across a bonanza of Minoan artifacts, scattered all over the floor.
As you descend to the depths of the cave, try to picture a time long ago when these chambers echoed with the clanging armor of the Kouretes, the young male warriors entrusted with the protection of the infant Zeus. Here he was nourished by Amaltheia, the she-goat whose horn could grant any wish. And when you reach the pond at the deepest part of the cave take a minute to admire the stalactite that hangs above the waters like a chandelier. This is the mantle of Zeus and fortunate are those who see it and live to tell the tale.
To take this self-guided tour you will need the app on your iOS or Android device.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy the most awesome view of the Lasithi plateau in all its glory, as it is surrounded by the breathtaking mountains of Crete.
• Marvel at the sensation of having entered the very cave where Zeus was raised.
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Ask poor Epimenides. He went looking for a lost sheep and entered the cave to rest. He woke up 57 years later without having aged at all. In a most remarkable demonstration of persistence, he kept looking for that errant sheep before he realized what had happened. And what about the band of young delinquents (Laius, Celeus, Cerberus and Aegolius) who decided to steal honey from the cave and found themselves before the swaddling-clothes of Zeus? It was a good thing they were in a sacred place where murder was a profanity, otherwise Zeus would have killed them instantly with his thunderbolt for snooping in his closet.
Fortunately, not all visitors have to suffer for their adventurous decision to enter the cave. Europa found her bridal bed here and an array of impressive wedding gifts: a gold dog that excelled in the hunt, a bronze giant, and a quiver with arrows that always hit their target. Minos, the legendary ruler of Crete, would come here to chat with his father, Zeus, and receive the new laws for humanity. And the archaeologists who used explosives to explore the cave came across a bonanza of Minoan artifacts, scattered all over the floor.
As you descend to the depths of the cave, try to picture a time long ago when these chambers echoed with the clanging armor of the Kouretes, the young male warriors entrusted with the protection of the infant Zeus. Here he was nourished by Amaltheia, the she-goat whose horn could grant any wish. And when you reach the pond at the deepest part of the cave take a minute to admire the stalactite that hangs above the waters like a chandelier. This is the mantle of Zeus and fortunate are those who see it and live to tell the tale.
To take this self-guided tour you will need the app on your iOS or Android device.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy the most awesome view of the Lasithi plateau in all its glory, as it is surrounded by the breathtaking mountains of Crete.
• Marvel at the sensation of having entered the very cave where Zeus was raised.
Included
- Self-guided audio tour for your smartphone in English, German, French, Russian and Greek
- Offline content with offline interactive map and signature stories
- Secure promo code to access the tour after downloading the app with no extra fees
Not included
- Smartphone
- App not available for Windows phones
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Please note that this is an audio self-guided tour. No VR / AR is included, no physical guide will accompany you.
- You must have an Android or iOS smartphone for this digital tour.
- After booking, you will receive an email with your personal promo code and instructions to download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and unlock this tour.
- The tour is yours to use at any moment you wish according to your schedule and also repeat any time.
- Usage of headphones is recommended, in order to best enjoy this multimedia (audio, photos & text) self-guided tour.
- Book per device to be used, not per participant.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
70%
Original
40%
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