Hellas Crete Mount Ida Psiloritis part 1
Mount Ida (Crete)
Mount Ida, known variously as Idha, Ídhi, Idi, Ita and now Psiloritis, is the highest mountain on Crete. Located in the Rethymno Prefecture, it is sacred to the Greek Titaness Rhea, and on its slopes, according to legend, lies the cave in which Zeus was born. It is the mountain with the highest topographic prominence in Greece. Interesting features are the plateau of Nida and the forest of Ruva on the east side. The observatory of the University of Crete is located on the secondary peak Skinakas. Psiloritis means highest.
Mount Ida is the locus for a race of legendary ancient metal workers, whose roots are also associated with Cyprus.[1]
Along one flank of Mount Ida is the Amari Valley, a locus settled by expansion of ancient Phaistos, when the settlement of Monastiraki was established.
GREECE CRETE (KRETA) south of mount Ida (psiloritis) (hd-video)
Crete has many nice roads, which invited you to drive around.
In this video I show some scenery south of the highest mountain range. Old villages and even older olive trees.
CRETE, Discover The House Of Zeus in Rethymno, GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The Ideon Cave or Ideon Andron is found on Mt Ida or Psiloritis, the highest mountain in Crete.
The Ideon Cave is one of the greatest cave sanctuaries in Crete, as important as the major Greek temples. It flourished in antiquity (4000 BC to the 1st century AD).
The Ideon Cave was famous for being the place where Zeus, the Father of the Gods, was born and grew up.
The Ideon Cave is on the east side of Mount Ida in central Crete, at an altitude of 1,498 metres. The cave is 20 kilometres after the village of Anogia and a few metres higher than the Nida Plateau.
On entering the Ideon Andron Cave you find yourself in the main chamber, which is 40 metres long and 50 wide. The chamber has been excavated twice, the first time by Federico Halbherr in 1885 and the second by Yannis Sakellarakis in 1982.
We must note that the Ideon Cave is not particularly impressive as a cave, unlike the Dikteon Cave, which is visited by thousands of people each year.
However, it is no coincidence that the Ideon Cave was chosen as the birthplace and place of worship of the most important god in ancient Greece. The Ideon Cave lies on the mountain-emblem of Crete, Mount Psiloritis, on the south side of which lies another important cave sanctuary, the Kamares Cave. Even today, on the highest peak of Psiloritis, at an altitude of 2,456 metres, there is a tiny stone church dedicated to the Holy Cross, where services are held once or twice a year
Legend has it that Mount Ida has the privilege of seeing the sun before the dawn. It is true that on clear days you can see almost the whole of Crete from here, as well as the Cyclades and even Mount Taygetus in the Peloponnese.
The myth of the birth of Zeus
According to a prophecy, the son of Cronus and Rhea would overthrow his father, who defended his position by devouring his children. Mother Rhea, however, could not bear this, so she tricked her husband and gave him a rock wrapped in swaddling clothes to swallow instead of her last-born son.
She hid the infant deep in a cave where he was nursed by the nymph Melissa and the goat Amalthea, whose horn produced all manner of goods. The baby’s cries were covered by the legendary Curetes, who beat drums and clashed their shields as they danced. Thus the prophecy came true, and when Zeus came of age he overthrew his father Cronus and claimed his power.
Read the whole myth of the birth of Zeus in Crete
Other names of the Ideon Cave
The Ideon Cave, or cave of Ida, is also known as the Spilia tis Voskopoulos (Cave of the Shepherdess). The locals say that near the cave was buried the wife of Charidimos (the lord of Gortys and rival of Erotokritos), who accidentally shot her with an arrow while hunting on Mount Psiloritis, as Vicenzos Kornaros says in his narrative poem Erotokritos (a classic work of Modern Greek literature written in the Cretan dialect).
Another name of the Ideon Cave is the Arkession Andron (Cave of Aid). Worshippers came to the cave to seek the aid of Zeus, who, legend has it, had also received aid in the past and escaped death.
References and myths of the Ideon Cave
One of the pilgrims to the Ideon Cave was the great ancient sage from Samos, Pythagoras. It is said that he took part in the ceremonies at the cave and was even initiated into the mysteries of the Cretan Zeus. We do not know details of the mysteries of the Ideon Cave, because initiates were forbidden to speak of them to the general public.
Pythagoras described an altar carved in the natural rock at the cave entrance, which can still be seen today. Inside the cave was a large ivory throne in honour of Zeus, but this has now been lost.
Festivals were held at the Ideon Cave each year, originally in honour of the god of vegetation, who died and was reborn in the cycle of the seasons. The Minoan god of vegetation was later replaced by the Cretan-born Zeus, the local young Zeus, who according to local myth also died and was reborn each year. Theophrastus tells us that during the ceremonies, worshippers hung offerings from the branches of a poplar in front of the entrance to the cave
Even Minos, the legendary king of Crete, came on pilgrimage to the Ideon sanctuary every nine years to receive the renewed laws from his father Zeus.
CRETE | The Path of Mount Ida (Psiloritis) - Η Στράτα του Ψηλορείτη (2015)
The Path of Mount Ida is a 3,2 km hiking route in Crete. It starts from village Livadia (Lakos Μigerou) and leads to the top Timios Stavros (Holy Cross). Mount Ida (Greek : Ψηλορείτης high mountain), is at a height of 2,456 m (8,057 feet), one of the highest mountains on Crete. Located in the Rethymno regional unit, according to legend, Zeus was born there.
Each year hundreds of locals and visitors walk the Path (every year on the first Sunday after Aug.15) starting at 5 am. A unique mountain experience that brings enjoyment and creates an understanding of local culture.
*This documentary was produced by neatv.gr
Camera : Nontas Kouklakis
Narrated and edited by : Vicky Arvelaki
Mount Ida, Crete
Mount Ida, Crete, Greece, highest mountain in the Island, where Zeus was nurtured in a cave. Cruising out of Heraklion. April 201
Crete Greece, Psiloritis the white mountains in Anogia Rethymno
Crete, Greece's largest island, is known for its varied terrain, which ranges from fine-sand beaches at Elafonisi to the White Mountains. Mt. Ida, the tallest of the range, is home to the Ideon Cave, which was the birthplace of Zeus, according to Greek mythology. The capital, Heraklion, is home to the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum, housing Minoan artifacts, and Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement.
The White Mountains, or Lefka Ori, is the largest massif on the island and its highest summit is Pahnes (2.453 m). The heart of this imposing range includes the Mountain Desert, where more than fifty peaks named Sori (piles), reminding of cones, exceed the altitude of 2.000 m. Dolines, reminding of upturned cones are formed at the foot of Sori peaks. This creepy and haunting landscape is a unique geological formation in the entire northern hemisphere.
Hiking in the White Mountains requires fitness, experience and a good sense of orientation. There are several mountain shelters where mountaineers can spend their night.
The highest mountain areas are covered by snow till late June. There are numerous caves, precipices, sinkholes and canyons. The most famous gorge is Samaria in the White Mountains National Reserve, but there are many more: to the south, the gorges of Aradena, Tripiti, Klados, Agia Irini, Imbros and Kallikratis, and to the north, the gorge of Vrissi, Therisso, Cyclamen, Boriano, Dittany, Kidoni and more.
The White Mountains are home to the deepest caves in Greece. These include the dark sinkholes of Gourgouthakas and Leon. The most well-known plateaus include Omalos, Anopolis, Askyfou, Tavri and Niato.
The White Mountains host a great variety of flora and fauna species, which are exclusively endemic (stenoendemic), not to be found anywhere else –not even in other parts of Crete. The areas on the southern side of the mountain range are covered with cypress, oak and pine trees, whereas humid areas favour the development of chestnuts, planes and other aquatic plants.
Road to Psiloritis IDA @ Crete - Greece
Road to Psiloritis IDA @ Crete - Greece. May 2010
8,057 ft (2,455.8 m)
Mount Ida, known variously as Idha and now Psiloritis, is the highest mountain on Crete. Located in the Rethymno Prefecture, it i
Mount Kedros - Crete - Amari
With 1667mKedros is the king of the Amari basin. Its the highest mountain between Lefka Ori and Psiloritis / Ida Mountains.
April 2019 - Hazy Sunshine, Cloudy, Starting Point Kissos Cemetary:
Climbing up pathless to Kissos saddle. From here yellow waymarks after crossing a fence northwards. Staying south of the fence leads to climbing II grade.
Follow the western ridge always direction Summit. There are in tgotal 3 steeper stages easy to climb. Its far (about 10km one direction) but a nice walk with great views if the weather is more fine than mine.
Way back same like up until saddle. Most difficult part is the route to the saddle.
Starting from Gerakari at the northern side saves crossing the steep stone /macchia area. Seems like there is a well marked path leading up.
Koudouni Mt Ida Crete Greece ski touring 2 Jan 2017
With Yannis, enjoying powder skiing on Koudouni peak, Mt Ida (Psiloritis), Crete, Greece, 2 Jan 2017
sunrising on Ida (Psiloreitis) mountain
music track:We have mountains to climb-Muhr
Driving Crete's highest road, Greece
The drive down from skinakas observatory. This road is in poor condition compared to when I last drove it 2 years ago. Couldn't make it to the top last year due to heavy snow.
Filmed with firefly 8s action camera in 4k on medium fov.
artist: chris zabriskie
track: cylinder eight
album: cylinders
Hellas Crete Mount Ida Psiloritis part 2
Ideon Andron Cave
Description
The Ideon Andron Cave at the base of Psiloritis
According to legends, the Ideon Cave was the birthplace of Zeus. In the myth, Rhea brought the infant Zeus to the Ideon cave to protect him from his father, Kronos, who would have swallowed him alive, as he had previously done with his brothers and sisters. Here he was nursed by the goat nymph, Amalthia. He was protected by the Kuretes (5 Cretans) who danced and clashed their weapons to cover the cries of the baby Zeus. This myth will be disputed by those that believe that Zeus was raised in the Dikteon Andron in the plateau of Lassithi.
In another variation of the myth, the baby Zeus was born in the Dikteon Andron Cave, while the infant Zeus grew up in the Ideon Andron among the shepherds of the Nida Plateau. Zeus is often called Cretagenis, e.g. born in Crete. According to Cretans, Zeus was not immortal, in contrast to the Classical Greek belief; he died and was reborn every year. The head of the dead Zeus can be seen in the outline of Mount Youktas, outside Iraklion. This belief of Cretans, continues traditions of the old Minoan religion (in which the Young God died and was reborn every year) to the Greek religion.
Historically, it is clear that both the caves in the Lassithi Plateau and the cave in Nida were sanctuaries during Minoan and early Greek times. The cave of Trapeza in Lassithi was used very early in Minoan times, but later it lost its significance to the cave of Dikteon Andron, also in the Lassithi Plateau, and the latter seems also to have been replaced in importance by the cave of Ideon Andron in Nida during Greek and Roman times.
Excavations in the cave uncovered finds dating as far back as late Neolithic times. During Minoan times, the cave was a place of worship of the fertility goddess. Later it became the place of worship for the cult of Zeus.
The cave is 1,540 metres above sea level. It contains a large chamber at the opening and two horizontal chambers that open to the inner sanctum of the cave. Excavations are in progress and the cave is now closed to the public.
The original excavations were done by Professor Marinatos and revealed the Greek and Roman use of the cave. The recent excavations in the cave are concerned with the finds of the lower deposits in the cave. The cave is known to have been used in the Neolithic Age. Recently, a superb bronze shield was found intact.
K2.TO THE TOP OF THE EARTH.CRETE GREECE.MOUNT PSILORITIS,TOP OF KOUDOUNI 1856M 14-6-- 2015
K2.TO THE TOP OF THE EARTH.CRETE GREECE.MOUNT PSILORITIS,TOP OF KOUDOUNI 1856M 14-6-- 2015.
Hellas Crete On the way from Rethymnon to Anogia mount Psiloritis
On the way from the old national road from Rethymnon to Anogia
Eleutherna Rethymno Crete
Eleutherna - an ancient city-state in Crete, Greece ~25 km southeast of Rethymno on the north-west spur of Mount Ida (the tallest mountain in Crete). High mountains & verdant valleys. A truly beautiful valley and superb walking area.
Psiloritis - Timios Stavros - Highest Summit in Crete
Highest Peak in Crete 2456m
What a great Hospitality of the Cretian People at the summit ...
First Ascent from Southeast, Second Ascent from North
Third Ascent will follow ...
Eine Tour zum Skinakas Observatorium auf 1750Meter (Kreta-Crete)2019 4K
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Mt Ida - Zeus' altar at the foot of Sarıkız?
This video shows the area at the foot of Sarıkız on Mt Ida where Heinrich Schliemann claimed he found an altar to Zeus. The site is discussed in Homeric sites around Troy (Parrot Press, 2017) - see homericsites.com.
ZEUS CAVE - Crete (4K)
Zeus Cave known as a Ideon Andro is nestled into the side of Mount Ida, 55 km from Heraklion, Crete. The Legendary Birthplace of Zeus #zeuscave #crete #creteattractions