PERAMA CAVE

To change yourself from the Greek-Roman archaeological sites, here is a nice little walk through the bowels of the Goritsa hill, only a few kilometres from Ioannina. A 850 m long path and a 163-step staircase lead to the strange forest of limestone concretions. Claustrophobic, abstain! The cave had been known to the villagers since the early 20th century but was closed for a long time before being used again during the Second World War, when it allowed the inhabitants to protect themselves from aerial bombardments. It began to form 1.4 million years ago, due to the water erosion of limestone. After skilful natural mixtures of limestone and carbon dioxide, limestone has been transformed into crystal and today forms fascinatingly shaped stalagmites and stalactites where candles, cactus and even a tower of Pisa can be seen. Today, this underground walk will be an opportunity to discover stalactites and stalagmites with surprising shapes. Don't forget to take a sweater (the temperature inside the cave is 17°C) and walk down the 163 steps that lead to the first of these natural masterpieces. The commentary on the visit is in Greek and the simultaneous translation into English leaves much to be desired. Allow about 45 minutes for the visit. We then return by a path that allows us to enjoy a rather interesting view of the surroundings.