Information sought about Akoursos cave

[Dominic]

While out exploring the other week we drove through the small village of Akoursos, situated between Pegia and Paphos.

One thing that struck me was this stunning cave.

cave.jpg (278.92 KiB) Viewed 7042 times

I had to drive some way up the road in order to get a decent shot of the cave interior, but I eventually managed it:

cavezoom.jpg (146.5 KiB) Viewed 7042 times

Does anybody know anything about this cave? I found online stories about fighting Kings and burial chambers, but I was wondering if anybody had any more info about it.

I have looked on Google Maps, and there doesn't appear to be any other way of getting into the cave, other than scaling the cliff. If I can get enough info on it, I will do a blog article about it.

[cyprusmax47]

Have sent you e-mail...
Max

[Dominic]

Thanks Max, I shall try and contact that chap.

[kingsdale]

Hi Max

could I have any info / links as well please

thanks

[Dominic]

There will be a blog in due course as well!

[smudger]

Look forward to it, along with directions how to get up to it

[Dominic]

I can give you directions how to get DOWN to it easily enough.

[smudger]

Thanks Dom, presumably just as hard as getting up to it for a 74 year old

No worries, I'll just enjoy the pics!! Thanks

[Dominic]

Oh the only way I would visit the cave myself is in a downward direction, and then only very briefly. I would have a bit of an issue when I reached ground though.

[smudger]

Having said this, several years ago, mebbe 17/20, can't really remember, I visited Agios Neophytos Monastery, coincidentally five minutes from where I now live.

At that time it was possible to go up the almost vertical stairs to visit the actual cave where St Neophytos had lived, which I did, quite hair raising coming down!!

It is now out of bounds, but have looked at this staircase many times since and have absolutely no idea how I had the courage to climb it, let alone come down again!! For sure wouldn't attempt it now!!

[PaphosAL]

Look forward to it, along with directions how to get up to it

Don't even think about this one, Jacs, unless you're tackling it as part of a group walk, please!!

Going to a remote location alone like that, when you're not exactly a spring chicken (like me), then start rock climbing to find a cave? You're having a larf! Who knows what lives in this cave, if and when you reach it? Maybe a fox will jump out, scare the shits out of you, causing you to tumble back down the hillside...

Who is going to be there to help rescue you? Leave this one to Dominic and wait for his awesome photos, please!

Cheers- AL

[smudger]

Already have Al! Not on the wish list, believe me! Content to see the pics, many thanks to Dom.

[Dominic]

Um, I can assure everybody here I am going nowhere near that cave myself!

[PaphosAL]

Um, I can assure everybody here I am going nowhere near that cave myself!

Oh come on now, Dominic- it's Man or Mouse time here...

[smudger]

Totally understand that Dom!!

[Jimgward]

It doesn't look a natural cave. The lines across the bottom of it... I assume it was a defensive cave at some time... or maybe a hermit?

[daveg]

Rumour has it that David Attenborough once did a piece on the rare fruit bats that used to inhabit the cave up to about five years ago.......

[kingsdale]

There are some very extensive cave systems just outside Neo Chorio, I had a feeling that Attenborough did the fruit bat piece here.

[Dominic]

There are loads of bats in the waterfall gorge. I will post a blog about it soon, because I have got permission to use more pictures from an external source. I went to visit the gorge myself yesterday, but didn't get very far. All will be revealed soon enough...

[smudger]

http://cyprus-mail.com/2013/09/07/steep ... t-numbers/

Not checked thus but It's Attenborough on fruit bats in Cyprus.