Tzanis Cave in Chania, Crete
Chania Caves - Tzanis Cave in Chania, Crete, also known as Katavothra or Chonos, is a stunning natural wonder located in the Omalos Plateau. Spanning an impressive 2500m in length and plunging 280m in depth, this cave has been captivating foreign tourists since 1865. Explorers from various countries have ventured into the cave since 1961. Despite being accessible, Tzanis Cave is not currently organized for tourism. What's fascinating about this cave is that it was named after Markos Tzanis, the legendary chieftain of Lakki, who was also known as Fovos, meaning fear. He gained notoriety for his fights against the Venetians in the late 17th century, and later, against the Turks. Following the Turkish conquest of Crete, he sought refuge on the island of Souda and continued to attack and kill Turkish soldiers, earning the nickname Fovos due to the fear he inspired in the Turks.