Cave with carved reliefs

Just 50 minutes from the center of Athens, on Mount Imitos is one of the most interesting caves in Greece. This cave is known as Panos Cave and also as Arche Cave. The cave is located at an altitude of 260 meters in the northern part of the Varis area, near the small cave of Sikia, but the cave is closed to the public. The main hall of the cave, 26 meters long and 23 meters wide and 10 meters high, was a sanctuary, and the walls were carved with staircases and reliefs. It is divided by a wall of stalactites into two parts. The well preserved inscriptions of Archedimos are carved figures as ( steps, places for placing tributes, grooves, tanks, altars ). As well as the reliefs he carved on the walls and inside the cave. These include a statue of a headless deity on a throne, as well as a relief of a human figure representing, according to the double inscription, the archdeacon himself. The cave was abandoned in the mid 3rd century bc and ceased to function as a place of worship in the 5th century ad. The 5 by 2 meter entrance is almost vertical and staircases were carved around the edges, which are now ruined. In addition to the impressive stalactite and stalagmite, which is kept in very good condition, other ancient finds have been found. Three of the cave marble reliefs found in the cave are on display in the Sculpture Collection of the National Archaeological Museum. The reliefs were saved by archaeologists in the 18th and 19th centuries because they were considered useless. In the early 20th century, excavations and research were undertaken by the American School of Classical Studies, based in Athens. In 1902, more than 1,000 4th century clay decorated lamps and stone inscriptions were found. The descent into the cave is difficult and extremely dangerous. The rudimentary stairs are very slippery, and a wrong step can be fatal. In the end, the cave is not very visited.

More information can be found here