GreeceA sacred cave sanctuary on the eastern slopes of Mount Ida (Psiloritis) in Crete, at 1,538 m altitude [1] [2] [3]. In myth, Rhea hid the infant Zeus here, guarded by the Curetes [4] [5]. Excavations by Halbherr (1885) and Sakellarakis (1982) yielded bronze shields with Assyrian influence, gold jewelry, clay figurines, and an Altar of Zeus carved into rock at the entrance [2] [3] [6]. King Minos reportedly visited every nine years to receive laws from Zeus [4] [7].
Idaean Cave
Also known as: Antro Ideo, Cave of Zeus, Caverna de Zeus, Cova d'Ida, Cueva de Zeus, Els lladres de la cova del mont Ida, Grotta di Zeus, grotte de Zeus, Grotte de Zeus (mont Ida), Idäische Grotte, Idajska grota, Ídan luola
| Type | Cave Structures |
|---|---|
| Period | 4500 - 3000 BC |
| Country | Greece |
| Coordinates | 35.2084° N, 24.8290° E |