PROTECTION OF CAVES
Caves are protected as geological formations and as archaeological sites (if they have antiquities) by the Ministry of Culture and the competent Ephorates of Palaeoanthropology and Speleology. Caves are also protected under Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora. Habitat 8310: ‘Caves not exploited for tourism’: ‘Caves not open to the public, including their water bodies and streams, which are home to specialised or highly endemic species or which are of paramount importance for the conservation of Annex II species (e.g. bats, amphibians)’.
Code of conduct for cave entry
All caves in Sitia Geopark are underutilized for tourism and many of them are archaeological zones, which are protected by Greek legislation. This fact not only does not deprive them, but on the contrary maximises the pleasure of touring them, as the visitor entering such an “untouched” environment experiences the magic and awe of exploration and discovery. As long as we observe the safety rules and the necessary respect for the cave
So none of them have the specifications for entry without the necessary equipment and training.
The minimum equipment for visiting (amateur) a cave is: Flashlight , Helmet, good shoes and always the entrance is done with the presence of a second person.
At our entrance :
1) We do not destroy the decoration of a cave. We do not break stalactites or stalagmites, we do not write, we do not engrave.
2) We do not leave rubbish inside the cave and carry it with us outside the cave.
3) We do not kill or disturb the fauna of the cave.
4) We do not destroy or remove the flora of the cave.
5) We do not create loud noises in halls, in the presence of bats. We do not disturb and illuminate the bats.
6) From the cave we do not take any “souvenirs”, stalactites, possible archaeological findings, animals, etc.
7) If we do not know basic caving principles or are not accompanied by an experienced caver then we limit our visit to the entrance only and only if we are sure of our return.
