Picture Guide for Matala 'Caves' - Iraklio Prefecture, Crete

The 'caves' of Matala are not natural ones but are mad-made, dozens of small burial chambers excavated, during the Roman period, from the soft sandy face of the cliffs situated at the northern end of the beach. Their history, albeit over 1500 years old, is still relatively short in comparison to the nearby remains of the Minoan palace of Phaestos. Inside the various burial caves of Matala today one can still see Christian crosses carved into the rock and the remains of yellow, black and red painted decorative patterns.

Viewed from the beach

Viewed from below

Entry

Chamber entrances

Above ground ledge and arch for deceased

Arches

Interconnected chambers

Burial in ground. Christian cross visible

In ground burial - graves

Once a late 60s hippy community, the caves of Matala have been a long standing destination on the tourist's itinerary and the sea and weather too take their toll on the exposed entrances which are gradually eroding away. Some whole chambers have now been exposed to the open air and visitors are reminded of the need to treat such historic monuments with the care and respect the deserve.