The existence of numerous caves is inextricably linked to the rugged topography of Crete. People lived in caves thousands of years ago, as evidenced by the prehistoric carvings in the cave Skordilakia by Asfendou. Moreover, today's religious tradition in the caves, which hosts cavernous chapels, is an evolution of the worship of ancient gods inside caves.
Originally, the Minoans worshipped their major deities, such as Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, in caves. Later, they placed the birth and upbringing of the king of the gods, Zeus, in the Diktaean and Idaean caves, turning them into important religious centers. During the Byzantine era, caves which according to tradition hosted Saints, such as Saint Paul, Gerasimos and John Xenos, were converted to important ascetic communities. Many pages of Cretan history were also written in the caves of Crete, such as the massacres in the caves of Melidoni, Milatos, Krionerida, Xotikospilios and Tigani at Gramvousa.
Many caves are of very high speleological and ecological significance. Caves with rich decoration which are open to visitors are the Diktaean Cave by Psychro, Gerontospilios by Melidoni and Sfendonis by Zoniana. Besides the caves of religious or historical value, Crete has more than 4.500 mapped caves and sinkholes, available to each experienced speleologist who wants to enjoy their rich decoration and fauna. Areas that host a large number of caves, ideal for cavers, is mount Stroumboulas by Heraklion, the Geopark of Sitia, the Geopark of Psiloritis and Melidoni area in the White Mountains. The three deepest explored sinkholes in Greece are all located in Crete.
Tafkos sinkhole at Psakofarango 
Το σπηλαιοβάραθρο του Ψακοφάραγγου βρίσκεται σε μικρό πλάτωμα σε υψόμετρο 1320 μέτρων στα όρια της κοινότητας του Ζαρού. Το όνομα το παίρνει από το φαράγγι του Ψακοφάραγγου που καταλήγει στη καρδιά του δάσους του Ρούβα
A few meters east of the small beach Koutalas and on the rocky coastline of Drapanos we meet one of the many caves in the area of Kokkino Chorio. It is the imposing cave of Koutalas, known to some as Nerospilia (Water Cave), even though Nerospilia is located in another nearby location.
The Katsikali sea cave is located on one of the steepest coasts of Asterousia, between the Koudoumas monastery and the beach of Tris Ekklisies and within the administrative district of the village of Paranymfi.
