December 3, 2014

The Subterranian Drogarati Cave in Cephalonia

Drogarati Cave downward path to main chamber right wall

One of the finest and highly regarded Caves in Greece is the Drogarati* Cave. Drogarati Cave is a rare geological phenomenon where mother Nature has really taken its time, of thousands of years, in creating drop by drop a spectacular sculpture in the form of stalactites and stalagmites.

Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 800, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperture: 8.0
On camera Flash


Although the cave is situated at an altitude of 120m above sea level, it descends to a depth of 96 meters. The visitor has to follow the steep slopes and staircases leading to the entrance of the cave.

Drogarati Cave downward path to the entrance
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 26mm (41.6mm)
ISO: 800, Exposure: 1/15 sec, Aperture: 8.0
Drogarati Cave entrance walls
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/6 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Entering the first chamber the visitor is struck by the yellowish tint floodlights illuminating the scenery and the high air humidity. The temperature in the cave remains steady at 18° Celsius (64.4° Fahrenheit).

Drogarati Cave first top chamber and balcony
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 24mm (38.4mm)
ISO: 3200, Exposure: 1/15 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Then following the paths which are paved and covered with carpet runners the visitor can descend further to the main chamber...

Drogarati Cave right downward path to main chamber
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/6 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Drogarati Cave right downward path to main chamber
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/8 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Drogarati Cave right downward path to main chamber
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/13 sec, Aperture: 4.0
Drogarati Cave stalactites detail with flash
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/200 sec, Aperture: 4.0
On camera Flash
make the tour of the main chamber...

Drogarati Cave main chamber wall and path
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 68mm (108.8mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/6 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Drogarati Cave main chamber stalactites
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 26mm (41.6mm)
ISO: 3200, Exposure: 1/8 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Drogarati Cave main chamber stalactites and stalagmites
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 64mm (102.4mm)
ISO: 3200, Exposure: 1/13 sec, Aperture: 5.6


and then ascend from the other side back to the first chamber and the entrance.

Drogarati Cave upward path from main chamber with stalagmite formations
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 3200, Exposure: 1/3 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Drogarati Cave stalactite detail
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 80mm (128mm)
ISO: 3200, Exposure: 1/6 sec, Aperture: 5.6
Drogarati Cave massive stalactite formations with flash
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/3 sec, Aperture: 5.6
On camera Flash
Drogarati Cave main chamber stalactite and stalagmite formations
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 22mm (35.2mm)
ISO: 3200, Exposure: 0.6 sec, Aperture: 5.6

Drogarati is the only cave in Greece with such a large main chamber, 65m long by 45m wide and about 20m in height.
This large Cave is a major touristic attraction, open all day every day, from morning to evening. Access to the cave is quite safe and can be toured without any risk. A fact which combined with the large main chamber dimensions, made it a fine concert venue for a few classical artists in the recent past.
Drogarati Cave main chamber 180° panorama
A 5 frame handheld panorama in landscape mode of the Drogarati Cave main chamber (click to enlarge).
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 17-85 IS USM, Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm)
ISO: 1600, Exposure: 1/6 sec, Aperture: 5.6

* Drogarati, is located in the area of Haliotata at a distance of 3 km from the town of Sami on Chefalonia Island.
Cephalonia or Kefalonia, formerly also known as Kefallinia or Kephallenia, is the largest of the Islands in the Ionian Sea in Western Greece.


All Photos were shot in RAW and post processed in Canon's Digital Photo Professional and/or DxO Optics Pro 9.
Thank you for viewing. © 2014 S.C.Vlachos

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Diving into the Turquoise Waters at Myrtos Beach, Cephalonia
Green Blue Sea Waters Against White Cloud Formations

Reference Articles:
Canon EF-S 17-85 mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens Reference

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