Northeast of Olympos, on the edge of the Vroukounda cape, there is a large natural cave, which has been inhabited since the Minoan-Mycenaean era. Entering the dry bay by boat, one cannot perceive the size of the ruins of the ancient city. The ancient Vrykous of the Dorians may have experienced its greatest prosperity in the 4th-3rd century BC. The ancient city is completely captured and the carved tombs are empty of offerings.
In the centuries that followed, the inhabitants sanctified the place (three early Christian basilicas of the 5th-6th centuries have been recorded by the archaeological service) and on the edge of the cape in an invisible cave, they used ancient material to honor Agios Ioannis of Vroukounda. Descending the stone steps of the cave, the visitor-pilgrim faces the sanctuary of the rudimentary church. The biggest and most important festival of Karpathos takes place here on August 28-29, and the residents of Olympos, Avlona and Diafani have the first say.
