Old hermitage with fortification elements in a cave at the bank of the torrent Mariorema, south of Geraki,in Laconia. The nearest village is Gouves which is 3.5 km to the east.

The cave, located on the steep cliffs of the west bank, is known as the hermitage of Ai-Stratigos.

The space inside the cave is very small. It seems that here it has always been a hermitage without evolving into a monastery. However, the proximity to the church of Agia Paraskevi on the opposite bank, where the ruins of various buildings can be seen, raises suspicions that it may have been, after all, part of a monastic complex.

According to Professor Drandakis (1994) the frescoes in the small chapel inside the cave are mostly dated to the sixth decade of the 14th century (ie 1360-1370). So the cave was formed into a small fort and a hermitage at least from the 14th century.
There is also an icon of John the Baptist, which according to Drandakis copies an icon of the 16th century from the Monastery of Stavronikitas in Mount Athos.

History

The cave is arranged internally in two floors, along a narrow gap between the rocks. The second floor has a wooden floor. The maximum length is on the ground floor: 6.07 m. The largest width is on the first floor: 2.50 m.
Each floor has its own entrance, where leads a narrow low corridor like a gallery, carved into the rock, uphill. The upper corridor is approximately 3.50 m higher than the other.
The lower corridor is in some places covered by protruding rocks and is 1.10 m wide and in front of the ground floor door 0.92 m. Its length is about 23 m.
In recent years, the beginning of the corridor has been destroyed by a landslide and entry is not possible (unless of course large stairs, ropes, etc. are used.)

The opening of the cave (height 8.10 m) is covered by a wall 0.70 m thick at the bottom and on the floor 0.56m. The masonry consists of small raw stones.

The ground floor door, arched, low and narrow, is 0.62 m wide and 1.37 m high. It has a porch margin with an engraved cross. Above it there is a rectangular opening.

The chapel is located on the first floor. Above the Holy Table there is another lighting box 0.30✖0.18m. Two more openings exist higher.
All these openings not only covered the needs for ventilation and lighting, but also had a defensive role, as they also served as loopholes.

Sources