M/Y Maria: Antiparos

St John's Cave & emerald waters

Full day cruise to Antiparos approximately 120 NM, 7 engine hours, Departure time 8am, Return 8pm

Our journey will begin from the port; we will sail along the red, white and black south beaches of Santorini. On our
way to Antiparos, we will pass from the emerald waters of Glaropoula. We will moor to the exotic beach of Apantima
for swimming and visiting the biggest attraction of the island, the famous cave of St. John. Our next stop is the cute
port of Kastro. We will walk in the narrow streets, visit the Enetic castle and have lunch at one of the tavernas. We will
continue sailing at Kavouras rocks, the famous nudist beaches, Monastiri beach, the inhabited island of Despotiko
with the important excavations, Vathys Volos beach, admire the impressive rock formations along the south cost and
stop to the remote beach of Faneromeni. On our way back to Santorini we will visit the port Ammoudi of Oia, the volcano,
the hot springs and other sightseeing in the caldera.

Beaches √ Scuba √ Antiquities √ Religion X Speleo √ Natural wonders √ Walk √ Traditional settlements √

Cave of Antiparos

Antiparos, hidden in the bowels of a treasure, a unique cave. Located on the hill of Saint John, at a height of 177 meters
from the sea. The cave has international interest because it is too large, it is wonderful and rich stalactite and stalagmite
decorations and is associated with significant historical events.

Cave in antiquity

The cave was known in antiquity. Until last century, was in this ancient inscription in Greek characters, saying: “In
KRITONOS OIDE came MENANDROS, SOCHARMOS, MENAKRATIS, ANTIPATROS, IPPOMEDON, ARISTEAS,
DIOGENIS, FILOKRATIS, ONISIMOS. According to tradition, they are conspirators against the life of Alexander the
Great, who discovered and fled for their lives in Antiparos. As a senior visiting the cave referred to by the lyric poet
Archilochus of Paros (728-650 BC).

“Discovery” of the cave in the contemporary period

In December 1673, Marquis de Ntouantel, was at Paros, as a guest of the notorious pirate Danielle. This was one of many trips to the Greek islands, in order to collect archaeological finds, on behalf of France. While Ntouantel oversaw the loading of antiquities to France, learned that the nearby island of Oliaros(Antiparos), there was a colossal statue. He arrived at the entrance of the cave, accompanied by about 500 people on Christmas Eve to discover with disappointment that the upposed statue was just a huge stalagmite. He had him down with ropes inside Hou oil and in the light of candles and lanterns, it was revealed in front of the wonderful sculpture of nature. Immediately he decided to cave occurred in the functioning of hristmas, on a huge stalagmite which has since become known as “altar.” The stalagmite, it was engraved and there is so far inscription in Latin: HIC IPSE CHRISTUS ADFUIT RJUS NATALI DIE MEDIA NOCTE CELEBRATO MDCLXXIII (Here Christ himself celebrated at midnight Christmas 1673). Ntouantel draw away huge chunks of stalactites and stalagmites that are loaded on ships for France. Between 1770 -1774 the cave will undergo a second major looting. The stalactites and stalagmites then extracted by the Russian troops now adorn the shop windows of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. The cave was first visited by the kings of Greece, Otto and Amalia, she lost her bracelet with 3 diamonds. Found after 3 years of villager. To commemorate the visit are engraved on the wall of the last chamber of the following: Othon A’-KING OF GREECE – THE 27 SEPT. 1840.