The Cave of the Lakes is situated 1500 m north of the village of Kastria. It contains 13 lakes and is endowed with a geomorphologic character that is unique throughout the world. The quiet waters of the lakes, which are situated on three levels and are arranged in an echelon pattern, reflect magnificent multicoloured stalactites that have formed on the cave's walls and ceilings. Although the existence of the cave has been known since ancient times, its second level was not discovered until 1964, when certain inhabitants of Kastria reached it by means of wooden ladders. In 1981, the cave opened to the public and has since been exploited by the Greek National Tourist Organisation. The cave is fed by waters tumbling from the Apanokambos Plateau which are canalised through swallow-holes and underground natural channels to the sources of Aroanios River. In total, the cave covers an area of 20,000 square meters, of which only 1,980 have been explored and 350 have been arranged for tourist visits, while further works are currently under way. The lower level (inaccessible) yielded human and animal fossils of paramount palaeontological importance, as well as potsherds dating to the Neolithic period and the early Helladic times. The cave is open to the public all year round; facilities include a waiting room and a tourist kiosk.