The lera cave is located in the Stavros inlet, inside a natural port, 15 km north east of Chania. The real glory of Stavros was the fact that it was chosen as the setting of the famous movie of M.Kakogiannis “Zorba the Greek” in 1963 and 1964.

At the time that Alan Bates and Anthony Quinn gave the picturesque bay some Hollywood glory by creating there the settings of the mine and the lift for the needs of the film.

On the big and steep mountain in a shape of a camel that stands on the eastern part of the port of the village there is an obvious hole , the holly cave of Lera. This cave played the significant role of the mine during the filming of the movie and it seems that during that period took place the first excavations. Firstly, by Paul Faure that operated some test excavations during 1959-1961 and in 1966 there was its official one.

Through high natural columns and a narrow passage , with steps carved in stone you enter the third chamber 3 metres higher in the main worship location. With dimensions of 14x18x9..Around the crystal water sea basin and the stalagmites , worshippers used to devote objects to the nymph of the cave. There are beautiful columns and stalagmites and an impressive stalagmite in an angel’s wing shape.

The cave got its name from Stefanos Leras, the legendary Chief of Arms who was active in Akrotiri from 1821 to 1833.