Vari Cave, Ancient religious cave sanctuary in Mount Hymettus, Greece
Vari Cave is an ancient limestone sanctuary on Mount Hymettus with two chambers linked by carved stone steps. The spaces contain shrines and religious carvings cut directly into the rock walls, with some artifacts now kept in the National Archaeological Museum.
Archedemus from Thera transformed the natural cave into a sanctuary in the 6th century BC, creating religious carvings and inscriptions. The site remained in use across centuries, showing a shift from official worship to private rituals over time.
The sanctuary was dedicated to Apollo, Pan, and the Nymphs, as shown in the religious carvings visible throughout the space. Later, people used it for secretive rituals during the late Roman period.
The site sits at 270 meters altitude on Mount Hymettus and is accessible via hiking trails. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear, and a flashlight helps since the interior is dark and passages can be uneven.
Relief carvings in the cave show Archedemus holding stone-working tools, documenting his role as both craftsman and religious devotee. These rare self-portraits give a glimpse into the life of someone working over 2000 years ago.
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