Katsouris cave in Glyfa

CAVES NORTH CORFU

GLYFA

KATSOURIS CAVE

Between Barbati and Nisaki at Glyfa, on the lower slopes of Mount Pantokrator, Katsouris cave is located. In the past human bones were found in the cave. It is said that pirates killed all who were hiding inside the cave.

It is not easy to visit the cave. Access is only possible after a very difficult hike along a private road. In this rocky area Nose Horned Vipers have often been seen. To get into the cave climbing on height is necessary. The size of the entrance to the cave is about 70 by 90 centimetres. Behind the entrance to the cave there is a hall with a small passage. In the centre of the passage it is only 50 centimetres high. On the left side it is more easy to pass under the low ceiling. After belly crawling for 5 - 6 metres an impressive main room full of stalactites, stalagmites and columns emerges.

The main room is about 8 metres heigh and 12 metres long. Inside the main room a huge rock collapsed. It seems the rock fell from the top because it is full of stalactites, and stalactites are hanging from the ceiling. Behind the main room there are at least 2 openings. One opening leads to a small chamber 25 - 30 centimetres wide. The chamber is high and seems to lead to another chamber. It is not clear whether the second opening is only a gap or a chamber. Further investigation is required.

During a visit in October 2018 (almost certainly human) bones were found and parts of ceramic pottery (amphora), possibly of the Late Geometric period which started around 760 B.C.

Flora & Fauna:

During a visit to the cave in September 2018 several bats were seen, but during a visit to the cave in October 2018 none were there.

Literature:

Μπουνιάς Ιωάννης, Κερκυραϊκά Ιστορία - Λαογραφία, τόμος Α΄, Αθήνα 1954, σ. 63.

High above Glyfa Katsouris cave is located.

The opening of the cave is behind the vegetation.

The first stage of the difficult hike to the cave.

Team Katsouris cave (September 11, 2018).

Half way up. You should not suffer from height fear here.

Details of the rocky outskirts of the cave. Many holes that look like caves.

View to the mountains of Epirus. Pirates definitely loved it ....

Climbing on height is necessary to get into the cave (team Katsouris cave September 11, 2018).

The hall of the cave as seen from the entrance.

At this point the passage from the hall to the main room is about 50 centimeters!

Belly crawling for 5 - 6 metres is necessary to get into the main room.

As soon as you have passed the passage you will see this beautiful stalactite of about 50 centimetres in the main room.

Stalactites and stalagmites in the main room of the cave.

Stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Almost all of them with drops of water.

Stalactites hanging from the ceiling are formed in rock cracks.

Two centimeters more and the stalactite will touch the stalagmite and grow into a column.

A huge broken stalactite reveals the impressive interior of the main room.

The treasures of every speleologist: (almost certainly human) bone (left) and part of pottery handle (right).

Parts of an amphora, possibly dated of the Late Geometric period which started around 760 B.C.

Foot of an amphora, possibly dated of the Late Geometric period which started around 760 B.C.

The discovered pieces of ceramic pottery look like this sample of an amphora dated of the Late Geometric period.

One opening that leads to another chamber that does not show its size.

One opening that leads to another chamber that does not show the size of it.

Is the second opening a gap or leading to another chamber?

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