The magnificent Diros Caves in the Mani, Laconia prefecture, are a system of three imposing caverns formed by an underground river located just 4 kilometers from the village of Diros.

   Paleolithic and Neolithic artifacts found in the caves indicate that they were one of the earliest inhabited places in Greece, and many of the artifacts are on display in the Diros Neolithic Museum situated at the entrance of the cave. in the village of Diros just 4 kilometers away.

   The caves feature beautiful formations of glistening stalagmites and stalactites of varying shapes and sizes, while the incredible colors and textures that have naturally developed over thousands of years by rain water penetrating the calcium carbonate in the rock are artfully highlighted by halogen lights.

   The complex comprises three caves: Vlychada (or Glyphada, from the river of the same name that flows into the cave, which widens in some parts and becomes a lake) and the only one of the caves open to the public, with tours on small boats; Alepotripa, 200 m. east of Glyphada; and Kataphygi, 500 m. on the left side of the road leading to the first two caves. Archaeological exploration of the caves has turned up important findings dating to the Paleolithic and Neolithic times.

   Regarded as one of the most beautiful lake caves in the world, Glyphada Cave's existence has been known since 1900, but it was first explored in 1949 by Ioannis and Anna Petrohilos. Fossils have been discovered in its interior of animals that existed 2 million years ago, including prehistoric ox and hippopotamus bones. The extent of the case is 33,400 sq. meters, while just 5,000 meters of its passages have been explored. The boat ride takes visitors on an unforgettable journey through a series of chambers and arches with such names as First Room, Dead City, the Crossroad of the Nereids, the Lake of Ocean Nymphs, the Pink and White Room, and the Big Ocean.

   Alepotripa was accidentally discovered in 1958 and subsequently explored by the Petrohilos couple. The finds unearthed give evidence of life in the cave 6,000 years ago. The cave extends over 6,500 sq. meters, of which 600 sq. meters are land and the rest is covered by the waters of the underground river connecting the three caves. Bone and rock tools, human bones, primitive weapons and vessels have been discovered there, and are on display in the Diros Neolithic Museum and in the Museum of nearby Sparta.

   Kataphygi has an area of 2,700 sq. meters, with passages extending over 700 meters. Prehistoric human bones have also been found here, while in more recent history the cave was used by locals as a hideaway during the Ottoman rule.

   The caves served as places of worship in the Paleolithic and Neolithic times, and were thought to be one of the entrances to the Underworld.