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Modern Description: The cave [closed with a padlocked steel plate in 2019] is situated on the northeast flank of modern Mt. Elikonas at 820 metres altitude, W of Agia Triada village. Sweeping views compensate somewhat for the padlocks. Heading N from Agia Anna village, in 2 km a good dirt road turns W. At 3.8 km from the turn, a usable (201906) jeep track descends right (N) and winds 1.6 km (keep right). The cave is 30 meters beyond the end of the track. The entrance is situated below the north wall of rock hollow. On the west face of the hollow are niches with cuttings for statuary. On the rock face just E of the entrance, much marred by modern grafitti, is a Greek inscription in classical letters about 3 cm tall, "ΚΟΡΩΝΕΙΑ ΝΥΜΦ[Η]".
The cave saw occasional use as an animal shelter until 1989. The first survey took place in 1985. Excavation started in 1989, under the archaeologist V. Vassilopoulou. The cave consists of a main room of 8x10 metres. On the northwest a narrow and relatively low corridor opens. The walls of the main room are almost vertical . A hole in the roof illuminates the room.
The cave was first used in the final Neolithic and Early Bronze Age period, while worship in the cave started in the Archaic period and continued during the Roman period. A few of the offerings -- terracotta figurines, vases, and other small finds -- are on display in the museum at Thiva. From the archaeological discoveries, including inscribed sherds of dedications to the Λειβεσθριάδεσι, it emerges that this was the cave dedicated to the Leibethrides Nymphs mentioned by Strabo and Pausanias. (inscribed sherds.
Wikidata ID: Q38280115

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(JBK)

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