Cave of Antiparos, Ancient cave formation and archaeological site in Antiparos, Greece.

The Cave of Antiparos opens through a collapsed-roof forecourt holding the chapel of Agios Ioannis Spiliotis and Zoodochos Pigi, then passes a large stone pillar covered in worn inscriptions. A concrete stairway of 411 steps drops about 50 metres into the main chamber, a hall 40 metres high. At its left end stands the 6-metre "Holy Table" stalagmite, 18 metres around, bearing the 1673 inscription.

The cave was used from the Neolithic period (5th millennium BC); a 2006 excavation in the antechamber found pottery of the Saliagos culture and the Early Cycladic period. In 1968 G. Vakalakis found prehistoric points and Geometric to Classical pottery, and inscriptions indicate worship of Artemis. In December 1673 the Marquis de Nointel, French ambassador to Constantinople, celebrated Christmas Mass inside, carving a Latin inscription on a stalagmite.

The cave was a cult site of Artemis, as inscriptions and finds of Geometric to Classical pottery suggest. On a pillar survives a list of names beginning "Επί Κρίτωνος οίδε ήλθον" (Menandros, Socharmos, Menekrates and others). A second chamber records the 1840 visit of King Otto and Queen Amalia.

The visit begins at the chapel of Agios Ioannis Spiliotis in the collapsed forecourt, then passes a large stone pillar before a steep descent of 411 concrete steps. The main chamber lies 50 m in, a hall 40 m high; the second chamber holds an 1840 inscription from the visit of Otto and Amalia. Surfaces are irregular and the climb back is long.

On Christmas Eve 1673 the Marquis de Nointel, French ambassador to Constantinople, had Mass celebrated inside the cave, using a 6-metre stalagmite as the altar. The inscription HIC IPSE CHRISTUS ADFUIT RJUS NATALI DIE MEDIA NOCTE CELEBRATO MDCLXXIII was carved into it. His 500-strong party stayed three days, painting the cave and removing stalagmites for France.