Σπήλαιο του Αρκαδικού χωριού

2019

Hellas Underwater Explorers - Exploring an Arcadian village cave

Text: Vasilis PetrouliasPhotos: George Petrou & Vasilis Petroulias

After Agios Andreas, on the road to Leonidio, lies the Arcadian Village, a complete model settlement at the location of Mikri Repontina. The route just before the height of the Arcadian Village towards Leonidio is impressive. On the right rises the Parnonas mountain range, while on the left, the Argolic Gulf where you can admire magnificent sandy beaches from above. The Arcadian Village began to be created as part of a major program of holiday settlements in 1993.

How the Cave in the Arcadian Village was Found

Unfortunately, several portals report incorrect information about how and who found the "Land Rift Cave", we are obliged to report the following. On March 5-6, 2016, the 1st expedition for 2016 of the Hellenic Speleological Exploration Group (HSEEG) was organized and carried out in the area of Arcadikou Chorio, by members Vassilis Vassalos, Kolisoglou Stylianos and with the participation of Nikolaos Giongaras (resident of Arcadikou Chorio). A total of two dives were made. On the first day, a full exploration of the underwater cave "Arcadickou Chorio" was carried out and partial mapping was also carried out. The maximum depth of exploration reached 44 meters. The dive lasted 45 minutes.

On the second day, exploration and mapping continued in an impressive cave located on land called "land rift", near Arcadian Village. The dive lasted 47 minutes.

Also, in August 2016, a presentation on the caves of Arcadia was held by members of SPELEO. More information at the following link http://www.voltastintripolinews.gr/2016/09/blog-post_731.html?m=1

At the location of Arcadian Village and amidst low vegetation of brambles, sedges and holly trees, there is an invisible opening. A simple "hole" one might say, well protected by the natural camouflage of the local vegetation. Descending from the narrow opening of the cave, the diver quickly realizes that he will enter a truly powerful, closed system. The entrance to this beautiful cave is at a depth of 20m, it extends westwards for a length of approximately 18 meters and a width of approximately 60 meters. Its deepest point reaches 58 meters and the shallowest (ceiling) is 20 meters. Inside this cave, unfortunately unknown to many divers, but unique in beauty, there are everywhere small and huge stalactites, lacy curtains of stalactite material tens of meters long, as well as a huge stalagmite northwest of its entrance. The divers' lanterns play a lot with the colors and bubbles from their exhalations. The most important thing, however, is the unlimited visibility. Within this quiet but closed environment, the diver can admire and enjoy, respecting the rules of cave diving, all this wonderful creation of nature that certainly took thousands of years to be made, as evidenced by the huge stalactite formations that are the most common decoration of underwater caves. The composition of the water is brackish, which is evident from the alloclines that we encounter in various parts of it. Due to the close distance of the cave from the beach, we assume that fresh water from nearby springs mixes with that of the sea. Finally, we would like to thank Mr. Yiannis Kourbelis for his valuable information, as well as the Port Authority of Astros Kynouria for the kind hospitality we had with him.