Cave Aggitis

The Aggitis Cave in Greece is the only exploited river cave in the country. It has important Paleolithic and Paleontological findings, which are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Drama. The cave has been explored for about 12 km and visitors can admire the first 500 meters. The cave is known for its impressive natural decoration, including white and red stalactites. There is a large hydraulic wheel in the cave that used to provide water and irrigation for the region. The cave is also home to various animals, including microfauna, fish, bats, otters, and coypu. It is located 23 km northwest of the city of Drama, and is the only exploited river cave in Greece. The natural entrance is the source of an underground river called Agitis. The cave was passage or shelter people and animals in different eras. Near the present entrance for visitors, archaeological excavations brought to light important Paleolithic and Paleontological findings, which are in the Archaeological Museum of Drama. Human presence in the cave is known since prehistoric times. So far have been explored about 12 km and have been mapped 10 km route. Since 2000 started the operation of the cave. The visitor can admire the first 500 meters of this unique phenomenon. The space is impressive in the cave and the visitor, as he moves in a corridor over the river and against the flow of water, monitors the natural decoration in the cave, which is dominated by white and red stalactites of various forms. The hall of the wheel, which is currently associated with the main area of the cave with the corridor, owes its name to the presence of a large hydraulic wheel diameter, 8 m, which covered the water and irrigation needs of the region from the Ottoman era. Within this impressive hall opening in the roof, measuring 8 tc meters, possible entry of residents of surrounding villages and secret access from the citadel over the cave into the river. Equally impressive is the arched opening where overflows with momentum the waters in the plain creating a cool oasis with trees, poplars and willows in the environment of cave, perfect for guests to relax. Inside the cave nest occasionally or permanently live 37 kind of animals, mainly microfauna, of which 6 species became known for the first time in the international scientific community. We are also finding fish, bats and some larger mammals, such as otters and coypu.