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Holy Cave Commandeered as a Secret Military Facility

Nikola Petrovski
Left: The entrance to the cave Author: NikosFF - CC BY-SA 4.0 Right: The church at the entrance of the cave Author: George Halliwell - CC BY-SA 4.0
Left: The entrance to the cave Author: NikosFF - CC BY-SA 4.0 Right: The church at the entrance of the cave Author: George Halliwell - CC BY-SA 4.0

The Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece is a world-famous structure. Millions of people visit it every year, and tourists rarely fail to photograph themselves with this ancient marvel. It was constructed using only white marble, which was quarried from a local cave.

It is here that our story begins: some 25 miles to the north of Athens. Known as Davelis Cave, it yielded crystal-white marble to the ancient builders of the Acropolis as early as the 5th century.

The entrance to the cave. Author: Stepanps CC BY-SA 4.0
The entrance to the cave. Author: Stepanps CC BY-SA 4.0

Throughout the ages, the cave has served many purposes. At first, it was a shrine and place of worship for the ancient Greeks who came to worship Pan and the Nymphs.

Straight into the cave. Author: JimDim – CC BY-SA 4.0
Straight into the cave. Author: JimDim – CC BY-SA 4.0

During the Dark Ages, it served the needs of Christian hermits. These lone Orthodox men came to the cave to be one with God. During this period a small Byzantine church was built directly into the rock right in the entrance — and is possibly still used by occultist groups to this day.

In more recent times, during the 1970s and ’80s, the cave was used by the military. The whole area was declared a military camp, which automatically made it off-limits to the rest of the world.

Naturally, a whole set of conspiracy theories then arose, ranging from mysterious tunnels all the way to secret nuclear weapons. To this day, the activities of the military and their interest in the cave remain a mystery. A number of military buildings now lie abandoned.

The cave from the inside looking out. Author: NikosFF CC BY-SA 4.0
The cave from the inside looking out. Author: NikosFF CC BY-SA 4.0

 

The church was built directly into the entrance. Author: Ribouldingue CC BY-SA 4.0
The church was built directly into the entrance. Author: Ribouldingue CC BY-SA 4.0

Cancer treatment drugs were also said to be found once the site had been deserted. After the military left, the cave was returned to public use — and this is when people started to report strange happenings. Many said that their electrical devices simply died at a certain point.

Others reported that they had witnessed glowing orbs that floated around on a cloud of mist which seemed to emanate from them. Some people believed they saw ghosts and ghostly figures wandering around the site.

One of the abandoned military facilities around the cave. Author: NikosFF CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the abandoned military facilities around the cave. Author: NikosFF CC BY-SA 4.0

 

A closer view of the church entrance. Author: NikosFF – CC BY-SA 4.0
A closer view of the church entrance. Author: NikosFF – CC BY-SA 4.0

There are even reports of strange creatures, such as a deformed and twisted sheep.

According to these stories, the creature simply disappears when one attempts to make a closer inspection – although why anyone would want to inspect a ghostly deformed sheep is a mystery by itself.

For those wondering why there are no photos of these ghosts, orbs, and creatures, the answer is simple: some unknown force causes the cameras and phones to simply stop working at certain points. Conspiracy theorists say that military operations are to blame; others say that it is this very force that forced the military to leave.

The entrance to the cave. Author: NikosFF – CC BY-SA 4.0
The entrance to the cave. Author: NikosFF – CC BY-SA 4.0

Whether or not these stories and theories are true, new and spookier stories seem to be born every day. Some visitors claim that they have witnessed water dripping upwards in some places, while others report that they have definitely heard a choir chanting in Greek.

Davelis Cave church. Author: George Halliwell CC BY-SA 4.0
Davelis Cave church. Author: George Halliwell CC BY-SA 4.0

It is also said that ghostly footprints embedded in solid rock lead up the wall and simply disappear.

All of these stories attract a whole range of people to the cave each day. According to the locals, many of those who come to visit are not ordinary tourists but part of a satanic group. These claims are further backed up by the animal carcasses that are found on the site.

The entrance to the cave with the church to the right. Author: NikosFF CC BY-SA 4.0
The entrance to the cave with the church to the right. Author: NikosFF CC BY-SA 4.0

To this very day, the whole area remains abandoned and acts as a hotbed for new spooky stories and conspiracy theories. Paranormal investigators are among those who come to visit to attempt to reveal some truths about the place. For those daring enough, the cave remains invitingly open and welcomes anyone – or anything, for that matter.