Cave of Zeus, Naxos

A large cave on the western slope of Mount Zas on Naxos, the highest peak in the Cyclades at 1,003 m, situated at 630 m elevation. The cave entrance widens to approximately 10 meters and extends about 75 meters deep, featuring impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Systematic excavations beginning in 1962 revealed artifacts spanning the Late Neolithic to the Early Cycladic III period, including copper tools now displayed in the Naxos Archaeological Museum. Greek mythology holds that the infant Zeus was hidden here from his father Kronos, and an archaic inscription on the path reads 'Oros Dios Milosiou' (Mountain of Zeus of Milon), attesting to ancient shepherd worship of Zeus.