Milatos Cave, also known as Rapas Cave, is located 3km northeast of Milatos at an altitude of 155m. In order to reach the cave, the visitor should drive 2.5km east of Milatos (following the road signs) and then walk the uphill footpath that leads to the cave entrance (10-15 minutes walking). The cave is easily accessible, is open to visitors, but torches are necessary for those who want to see the darker points of the cave.
The tragic history of the Cave
The Cave of Milatos is well known for the tragedy that took place here in February 1823. In the winter of 1822-23, Hassan Pasha devastated and ravaged the Lassithi Plateau. Then his troops moved into the region of Mirabelo. The residents of the area predicted his destructive mania and found refuge in the local caves.
The residents of Vrachasi took refuge in the cave of Peristera, near Sissi, while the residents of the rest of the Mirabello villages (Neapolis, Latsida, Voulismeni and Milatos) fled to the cavern of Milatos.
One Turkish resident from Voulismeni, called Terzalis or Nteres, informed Hassan Pasha that the inhabitants were hiding in Milatos Cave. He immediately sent his lieutenant, Hussein Vei, with 5000 soldiers to force the Greeks out. 150 Greek chieftains kept away Hussein, causing several damages to his troops. However, the Turks succeeded to surround the cave entrance, but Greeks were resisting successfully.
The siege began on February 3 and lasted several days. The besieged Greeks had to face thirst, hunger and odor from corpses of the elderly dying. It is also said that 40 children were born in the cavern during the days of siege.
Turks installed cannons on the opposite hills and began bombing the cave. Cretans put duvets and mattresses around the cave, to absorb the force of the cannon balls. At the same time they were waiting for help. Indeed, 2500 Greeks from other places of Crete arrived to assist, however Turks had occupied strategic positions and there were more of them.
Turks invited the besieged habitants to surrender, swearing that they will not touch them. Greeks did not trust them and refused to come out. On February 15, Turks set fire near the entrance of the cave, filling it with smoke. The suffocating atmosphere forced Greeks to exit the cave. The first that came out were the defenders.
Turks, despite the initial reassurances of Hassan Pasha, massacred 30 warriors. Turks captured the habitants, tied them with ropes and chains and moved them to Neapolis. Women were tied with their braids and the most beautiful girl was given as slave to Pasha.
Elderly men were moved to the position “Grambelles”, where cavalry passed and trampled them. Turks cut their heads off and created a pyramid with them. All infants were massacred and their mothers were sold as slaves. 18 priests were either massacred or burnt alive, after cutting their 3 fingers, which they crossed.
This was the end of the drama in the cavern of Milatos. Notably, Hassan Pasha earned the wages of sin for his crimes in Lassithi Plateau and Milatos in the following days.
After leaving Milatos, the troops encamped in Kastelli, before proceeding towards Mesara plain. But while Hashan was riding in the plain of Kastelli, his horse bolted, he fell down and he was instantly killed. He was then buried near the Church of Saint Titus in Heraklion.
Historians estimate the number of besieged civilians between 2000-3700 and 150 to 300 fighters. Other versions speak of about 5000 people. However these numbers are considered excessive, as the cave could not hold all these people and the population of the area is estimated in smaller numbers. The actual number may exceed 1000, which anyway is another drama in the history of the Cretan revolutions.
The 8 entrances
The cave has 8 entrances along a face of 40m. The main entrance has 9m width and 2m height. The rightmost entrance allows the daylight illuminating the room where the Chapel of Saint Thomas is built. Both entrances lead to the main part of the cave.
On the other hand, the remaining entrances lead to the left part of cave, which is smaller.
Saint Thomas Chapel
In the first hall of the main part of the cavern, locals built in 1935 a chapel dedicated to the Apostle Thomas, which celebrates on St. Thomas Sunday. On the same day, a local festival is celebrated and the dead are commemorated. An ossuary is built near the church, containing some bones from the victims of 1823.
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