One of the most important monuments to visit in Mylopotamos is Gerontospelios or Cave of Melidonio. It is an important archaeological site, utilized and visited. The Cave of Melidoni is located in the southern part of Mount Kouloukona, in an area of special natural beauty. Specifically, it is located approximately 1,800m, NW of the village of the same name, at an altitude of 220m from the sea. It occupies an area of 3000 sq.m. The deepest point, from the level of the entrance, is 53m. It was explored and mapped in 1964 by E.S.E. (Hellenic Speleological Society) under the direction of Anna Petroheilou and Eleftherios Platakis. At the beginning of the 20th century, a few days’ research was carried out at the entrance of the cave by the Italian Archaeological Mission, but there was no follow-up. The excavation research in the cave began in 1987 in view of its tourist exploitation by the Archaeological Service. The excavations, which continued with interruptions until 2008, brought to light important findings. The cave was already known from the 15th century because of an inscription in honor of Hermes, which had been identified by Kyriakos of Angona on the walls of the entrance, hence it had been visited by numerous travelers. In the cave, two inscriptions were found, among others, dating from the end of the Hellenistic Era to the Roman period, in whose texts Hermes is mentioned. The excavation research proved that the cave had been used as a place of occasional habitation, possibly at least in the Late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. From the period of the first palaces of the Minoan Civilization (1900 – 1700 BC), the north wall of its first hall (Hall of Heroes) was chosen for the worship of the Minoan goddess, because of the water collection and the central stalagmite-vaitylus that exist there. Worship in this area was maintained uninterrupted until 500 BC. The cave opens into the eastern part of the sinkhole created by the collapse of part of it. It is distinguished by an arched entrance, 3.2m wide. and 2.5m high, overlooking Psiloritis. You can visit the first room, one of the largest in Crete with stalactites and stalagmites of enormous dimensions. The first room of the impressive cave is called the “Hall of Heroes”, because of the existing monument inside it. The hall has dimensions of 44 x 55m and a height of approximately 10-25m and it is a complex with huge stalactites and pillars. This decoration of the cave is a creation of the gradual deposition of calcium carbonate (limestone) during drip flow inside the cave. Stalactites form on the ceiling while stalagmites form on the ground. The union of the stalactite with the stalagmite creates the pillar or pillar. From this point the cave is divided into two tentacles. One on the left, heading N/NW and another on the right, heading E. The left plumb line ends at the stepped chasm “I. Petrochilos”, 23m deep, with curtain-like stalactites that reach its bottom, while the right plumb line ends in the chamber “A. Petroheilou”. The names were given in honor of speleologists Ioannis and Anna Petroheilos, founders of speleology in Greece. At the beginning of the right tentacle, to the north, a 11 x 5.5m crypt is formed, with a water reservoir and a central stalagmite-valley, which through a small entrance leads with a steep 7.5m descent to the next chamber, the “Pashley” chamber. The second room is the “Pashley room”, in honor of the explorer Robert Pashley who visited the cave twice in the 19th century. and thrillingly told the story of the centenary of 1824. The hall is characterized by imposing and huge clusters of stalagmites and columns. It is made up of two uneven levels and a balcony flanked by pillars and stalagmites. Through a narrow and flat corridor we reach a rather sloping and small chamber. The corridor and the small chamber are called the “Hall of Inscriptions”, because of the engravings on the walls of the corridor and the southern wall of the chamber which date from the end of the Hellenistic Era (c. 100 BC) up to the 20th century. With a 5m climb from the “hall of inscriptions” we are led to the last chamber of the cave, chamber “A. Petroheilou”, measuring 7 X 11m. It is richly decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and a pillar that divides it into two sections. The cave is also of particular historical interest during the period of the Turkish occupation. At the beginning of October 1823, the Turkish-Egyptian army camped in Melidoni with a new leader, Hussein Bey. The Melidoniotes, 340 women and children and 30 fighters, found refuge inside the cave, refusing to surrender. Historical facts state that Hussein Beys, when he was informed about the hiding place, surrounded the cave with his army and asked the Cretans to surrender. The answer was “Death, not submission.” The blockade lasted three months, with continuous raids, attacks, without result. After a three-month siege, in January 1824, the army blocked the entrance to the cave, used flammable materials and set it on fire. Women children and fighters were killed by suffocation. In the “Hall of Heroes” of the cave, a stone ossuary is preserved, with the remains of the heroes. The chapel of Evangelistria has also been built at the entrance of Gerontospilios. The location of the cave ensures a panoramic view both to the northern side of Psiloritis and to the White Mountains. Today, the cave plays an important role in the life of the village, attracting many visitors due to its history and speleological interest. A commemoration for the 1824 holocaust is held annually.