Theopetra Cave

The cave opens in a limestone hill on the Thessalian plain and preserves an almost unbroken record of human occupation from the Middle Palaeolithic through the Neolithic, roughly 130,000 to 4,000 years ago, which makes it one of the most important prehistoric sites in Greece. Excavation found the remains of a stone wall built across part of the entrance, dated to around 23,000 years ago and interpreted as a windbreak against the cold of the last glacial maximum, sometimes described as the oldest known human-built structure. Also found were footprints left in soft earth by children some 130,000 years ago, hearths, tools of both Neanderthal and modern human type, and burials. The cave closed for years after earthquake damage and now welcomes visitors again on a walkway.

What you actually see

• The entrance wall - remains of a stone barrier built in the Ice Age.
• The excavation trenches - stratified layers spanning tens of thousands of years.
• The walkway - a raised route through the chamber with lighting.
• The interpretation - displays explaining the occupation sequence.

When to go

Year-round; the cave is a short stop and pairs naturally with Meteora, ten minutes north. Opening days can be limited, so check before making a special trip.

Honest expectations

Visually this is a plain cave: the significance is scientific rather than scenic, and without the explanation it looks like an empty chamber. Visits are short, often twenty minutes, and much of the material is in museums.

Nearby

Meteora and Kalambaka lie minutes north; the Pindus mountains rise to the west.