The Samos Caves Association “EFPALINOS” was founded in 2005 and is a member of the Hellenic Federation of Speleology.
Until now has explored and registered 80 natural caves with great variety in size and rich stalagmite and stalactite adornment. These caves are scattered throughout the island of Samos. Also there are many mine caves, with most significant being “Ancient Underground Mines” near Mytilinii village, which are unique in size. Samos’ distinctive coastline has numerous sea caves.
During September 2009, the Samos Caves Association “EFPALINOS” organized and conducted with great success the 12th Annual Caves Associations Meeting with co-planner the Hellenic Federation of Speleology, the Prefecture of Samos and the endorsement of “Nikolaos Dimitriou” foundation in the hotel DORYSSA. The association has also been an active participant in all the annual caves associations meetings inside and outside of Greece.
The association has organized 2 cave exploration seminars on Samos with the guidance of the experienced cave associations from Athens: “SELAS” and “SPELEO” in 2006 and 2009 respectively.
In December 2008 it organized and hosted a four days autopsy from the department of Paleoanthropology and Speleology of the Ministry of Culture, with the purpose of creating a report regarding the caves of Samos, which will be the milestone for their utilization. It has also has assisted scientists from the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration in cataloguing the mining activity of Samos which was published on their report “Mining Activity of Samos Island” in March of 2006.
Samos Caves Association “EFPALINOS” has created a “DVD” that highlighted the rich inlay of Samos caves.
In collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and European Universities from six countries the association has contributed successfully in the conduct of the scientific conference with subject: Underground Cavities, the creation of the DVD “Caves Network” and the writing of a book on similar matters.
These creations were launched in the six countries that attended the conference. Samos Caves Association “EFPALINOS” has participated the scientific conference IMANWATER”, and conferences on the subject: Alternative Means of Tourism that have been hosted by the prefecture of Samos and the Chamber of Commerce of Samos.
In 2011 the association helped the BBC TV crew, during its visit to Samos, regarding paleontological findings and has prompted them to record the Ancient Underground Mines of Samos.
It has also guided the National Greek Television and the local TV channel in various caves around the island, thus contributing on the publicity of the underground wealth of Samos.
The association has made many written interventions to the local authorities of Samos and the Ministry of Culture for the initiation of an effort to protect and restore the areas inside and outside caves.
The association has achieved the very difficult task of cleaning and restoring the vertical cave of”Sarantaskaliotissa” in 2006 with the help of experienced cavers from the Hellenic Federation of Speleology.
It prompted the Municipality of Samos to include the “ANCIENT UNDERGROUND MINES” in the program “THISEAS”. Thus in 2009 the area outside the mines was cleaned with the use of machinery, tons of garbage where extracted and additionally trees were planted in order to conserve, protect and restore the area to its natural beauty.
With help from “Friends of the Forest” and children from the elementary school of
website: www.samos-caves.com e-mail: eypalinos2005@yahoo.gr facebook: eypalinos2005
Mitilinii village, other caves were cleaned and restored. Many caves from Samos have been encompassed to the project of the creation of an “ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK”.
With the legal consent of the forest authority the association has organized during 2013 a further cleaning and restoration of the stone built streets from the hegemony years of Samos. Furthermore, in order to have access to other caves has opened old paths.
With the legal consent of the Ministry of Culture, Samos Caves Association
“EFPALINOS” has made many visits to caves with cavers, local people and scouts. Also has conducted and assisted scientific visits of professors, scientists, and students from universities involving the study of the living creatures inside caves and especially bats.
It has participated in nature festivals, tree planting, environmental exhibitions and with the purpose of informing local people and visitors about the underground beauty of the island.
On behalf of the members of the board Samos Caves Association “EFPALINOS” would like to thank its members for their continued support and every single person that has assisted to its purposes and goals in any way.
tel: (+30) – 22730 51220 mob: (+30) – 697 602 5140 /697 391 0299 /693 833 5370 /693 272 8572
Samos Caves Association «EfpaIinos» Mytilinii Samos, Greece, 83101
Article No.2 Association’s Commitments
- The preservation, designation and utilization of the natural culture of the island of Samos.
- To promote exploration, studying, protection and utilization of caves that are in the island of Samos
- To disseminate and advertise natural culture and all forms of athletism that is connected through activities with it.
HE CAVE OF SAINT ISIDOROS the impressive and huge hall with main characteristic the enormous stalactites that are been hanging from the rooftop of the cave.
Samos Caves Association
«Efpalinos» Mytilinii Samos, 831 01
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