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Kefalonia is the island with the most imposing scenery: magical
caves, small green plains, verdant mountainsides, crags,
deep blue sea and golden beaches harmoniously combined together
offer the visitor a unique selection of tours and excursions.
Kefalonia is an island as attractive to walkers as it is
to sunbathers. For the walker there are acres of inland forest
covered mountains to explore. For sun bathers there are plenty
on beaches (many of them among the most beautiful in the
Mediterranean ). It is one of Greece 's best secrets and
once voted 10th in a world scenic beauty league, thus it
demands and deserves exploration.
"Kefalonia and its inhabitants are unveiling little
by little. Thy look alike a beautiful and wise woman who
doesn't reveal at once her beauties, but lets you discover
her gradually" (Yv. Markandonatou, magaz. GEO). From
the traditional Fiskardo to the small tourist town of Poros
, and the fascinating villages of Livatho which captivated
Lord Byron with their beauty for four months, Kefalonia reveals
to the visitor a glimpse of paradise at every turn.
There is nothing static in Kefalonia. The landscape is alternating continuously
in an unusual variety of colors and schemes. Wonderful drives in the island are
offering to the visitor the opportunity to admire the wild beauty of the landscape,
the traditional villages, and the rare natural phenomena. Kefalonia is also an
ideal place for sailing. Its manifold coasts create numerous beaches, small bays
and natural harbors, creating this way a unique contradiction with the island's
mountainous part, the astounding cliffs and mysterious sea caves. The island
has dozens of picturesque villages and small towns, with an architecture and
tradition all their own, surrounded by enchanting nature. Kefalonia has something
different to offer to every visitor, it can fulfill every taste. Leave yourselves
to its arm for an unforgettable vacation!
Kefalonian history
he history of Kefalonia is long and very interesting. Probably the name Kefalonia
comes from a hero from Attica named Kefalos who fought on the island in about
5th century BC. The human presence on the island is dated to the Paleolithic
period. During the Mycenaean period Kefalonia was flourishing and the island
had connections with neighboring Ithaca , Lefkada and even the far-off Cyclades
. This communication was abruptly terminated in 1500 BC probably because of the
great destruction caused by the eruption of the volcano on Santorini; it was
restored two centuries later when the island began to flourish again. From the
11th century BC, until the end of the 7th century BC, there are few facts. In
the next century the island became the Ionian Sea center for transit trade.
The
5th century BC was characterized mainly by the development of four important
kingdoms on the island: Krane, Pali, Pronoi and Sami. These towns were autonomous,
with their own currency, united in the case of a common enemy such as the Persians,
but divided during the Peloponnesian War. In 187 BC Kefalonia was occupied by
the Romans and became subject to Byzantium nearly six centuries later (395 AD).
In 1483 it was destroyed by the Turks and in 1500 recaptured by the Venetians
who held on to it until 1797, when it was occupied by the French under Napoleon.
The French occupation was succeeded by a brief Russian and Turkish one, until
the British prevailed in 1809. The British rule came to an end in 1864 and the
island was united with Greece .
In the catastrophic earthquake in 1953, sparing only a few spots in the north,
entire town and villages where razed, more than 600 people died, thousands where
injured. Everything was rebuilt since 70% of all constructions were demolished.
At that time many desperate Kefalonians left their island to seek a better life
abroad.
Argostoli, the capital
The capital and the main port of Kefalonia since 1757, built on the
inner coast of its peninsula. After the 1953 earthquake they were left very little
remains; one or two houses, the arched bridge stretching across the lagoon and
the obelisk at its center, which commemorates the date of its construction. It
is located at the southwest coast of the island, at the ancient area of Krani,
that was in ancient times one of Kefalonia's most powerful kingdoms. In 1979
it passed from Venice to French domination. Then, at the historic Liberty Square
the inhabitants of the island burned the "Libro d'oro", the book of
the nobles, abolishing this way the class differences. Right above the bay and
next to the lagoon, is located one of the most rear small stone bridges in Europe
. It was built during the British domination in the island, around 1813. It is
made of many stone arches located along the bridge in a distance of 4 m between
them, and it unites the city of Argostoli with the coast across. In the city
is found the Archaeological Museum with splendid samples of the Mycenaean and
the Post-Mycenaean period, the Laographic (Folklore) and Historical Museum with
historical photographs and valuable traditional costumes, rare works of engraving
art, silver engravings, temples and rare historical documents. Next is found
the Korgialeneios Library, founded in 1924. It includes 53,000 books and it also
houses the Historical Archives with unique scriptures of the period 1535-1900.
Close to the center of the city is located the theater "Kefalos", a
center of artistic and spiritual quest.
The Castle of Saint George
he Byzantine castle of Kefalonia that has been the subject of posterior changes,
mainly by the Venetians in the 16th century. There exist saved churches and buildings
in the interior, as well as at the exterior (borgo), east to the entrance. In
the borgo of the castle is located the Temple of the Evangelist, a metropolitan
church, characteristic sample of eptanesian-style baroque. In its interior are
kept remarkable icons of the Post-Byzantine period, coming from the demolished
churches of the castle. At the south of the castle is located the historical
monastery of Agios Andreas Milipidias. At the old Catholic of the monastery there
is an ecclesiastical museum with rare Post-Byzantine icons.
ill today there have not taken place any excavations at the castle. However,
every year some restoration works are taking place, while the central gate has
been underpinned.
Drongarati - Melissani - Katavothres
n no other island can one encounter such fantastic natural phenomena as in Kefalonia,
from the caves of Drongarati and Mellisani to Katavothres (swallow-holes). Geologists
once grappled with the problem of the disappearing sea which flowed into swallow
holes near Argostoli. No-one knew where it went until a couple of geologists
tracked it with radioactive dye to the underground lake at Mellisani on the other
side of the island. In cave Drongarati the atmosphere is magnificent when the
sunlight passes through the cupola and is reflected on the stalactites and the
stalagmites. The only music concert-cave in the world with excellent acoustics
and with the greatest hall, a uniquely beautiful geological phenomenon. In the
same area there is the under-surface cave Melissani, a place for the worship
of god Pan in the ancient times, a nest of the Nymphs and the Maenads. Waters
in all the tones of the blue and stalactites hanging from above. The boating
is a magnificent experience.
Sami
he main port of the island, that in 2000 was used as a natural location for
the shooting of the film Captain Corelli's Mandolin starring Nicolas Cage and
Penelope Cruz. The film is based on a true story that took place in Kefalonia
during the 2nd World War and had become a best seller book. The bay of Sami in
the victorious battle of Nafpaktos in 1571 was called "Valle d'Alessandria".
A unique sight located north of Sami which is referred by Homer at the Odyssey
is the ancient city with its acropolis "Kyatis" and the part of the
wall of the Hellenistic period that are saved in the area of "Agion Fanenton".
The famous Myrtos beach
One of the most beautiful and impressive beaches in Greece. And not only.
It was recently voted by swimmers as one of world's best beaches. Its beauty
is breathtaking with its clear blue waters and its white sand.
The picturesque Assos
The peninsula with the two small bays, the Venetian castle and the small pictorial
village on the beach. An ideal place for calmness and relaxation for the locals
and the visitors. The castle of the 16th century is ideal for excursions. Its
walls were built in order to protect the area from pirate invasions.
Fiskardo, the "Monte Carlo" of the Ionian sea
The adornment of the island, since it is remaining after the catastrophic
earthquake of the 1953 as a small sample of the Kefalonian nobility and civilization.
Today Fiskardo is a meeting place for world's VIPs who arrive there with their
private boats. Alive and kicking day and night, Fiskardo is a "must" for
every visitor.
Lixouri
he second largest town of the island and the capital of the Paliki Peninsula.
Lixouri is divided by a stream that the inhabitants of Argostoli (the island's
capital), jokingly call the " Seine " while they also refer to Lixouri
as "Little Paris". The inhabitants of Lixouri are people with a keen
sense of humor, a great deal of creativity, and a long musical tradition.
In the city stands the Public Jacobian Library which is housed in a traditional
building of the Jacobians that was restored by the Hellenic Ministry if Culture
in 1982-1984 and contains 7,000 books, a collection of icons from Byzantine and
post-Byzantine period and hand-written Gospels of the 10th and the 15th century.
In the exterior space it hosts various events and performances.
In a distance of 2 km to the north stands the Monastery of Panagias Kehrionos,
to the south stands Drakospilia (= dragon's cave), 2 km in the area of Ritsata
stands the house of the poet Andreas Laskaratos and 12 km north west stands Kondogenada
with graves of Mycenean times and small churches with remarkable icons of the
Post-Byzantine period.
The area of Paliki Peninsula
Among the sight-seeing of the area are the Philharmonic School which
was established in 1836, the archaeological collection of ceramic art from the
Classical and Hellenistic period and Palaiokastro, in which ruins of the ancient
Palis were found. Also, the monasteries of Panagias Koronatou of the17th centaury,
of Agias Paraskevis and of Tafion, which was built by the ancient inhabitants,
Tafious or Tilevoes. Leaving Lixouri behind us, in a distance of 2 km, we come
across the beach of Lepeda and to the south we come across the village of Mihalitsata
. Then follow the villages of Soularoi and Mantzavinata and the road leads to
the red beach of Xi with the shoal waters. The sand hills around it remind of
a moonscape. Continuing to the road we come across Kounopetra, a rare geological
phenomenon of Kefalonia. Its fame comes from a rhythmic and endless slow movement
of the rock that comes out of the sea. This movement is not visible, but placing
a wood in the space between the contact with the others rocks, you'll find out
that the wood either will fall or will squeeze because of the rock's movement.
It is said that many years ago ships of the British navy tried to pull the rock,
but they failed.
Vrahinari bay
ontinuing on the road, we find Vrahinari (also known as Akrotiri), a sandy
beach with sapphire waters and an impressive sunset on the west side of the
island. Ideal for nature lovers and romantics. Also ideal for swimming in its
crystal-clear waters, for water sports, as well as for fishing and exploring
its magnificentl seabed. After the stretch of sand, the beach ends in rocky
concavities that create small natural dispensers where the seawater is collected
after the winter storms. The locals call them "limbes". The "limbes" fill with seawater
and as the warm spring sun gradually dries them out, a residue of the sea salt
called "afrala" is revealed. There is nothing tastier for a fresh salad
or for a traditional Kefalonian "riganada": dried bread, olive oil,
tomato, oregano, afrala, and feta cheese. The founders of Remetzo Village collect
the "afrala" and use it in REMETZO tavern for their visitors. REMETZO
TAVERN serves Mrs. Katerina's home cooking. Greek recipes and local specialties
with pure ingredients straight from her garden, cooked with virgin olive oil
of her own production. Try her fresh fish, caught on a daily basis aboard her
own boat. Don't miss her famous meat pie. It is the best on the island. The local "Moschato" wine
from Mrs. Katerina's vineyard is the ideal accompaniment to her dishes. In Vrahinari
beach there are deck chairs and umbrellas for those who like to enjoy their day
on the beach. There is also a canteen that offers coffees, refreshing cocktails,
cold beverages, fresh juices, ice creams and snacks, delicacies and hors d'oeuvres
for beer and ouzo. It also offers a cool place under the shadow. And something
more: Kefalonia is an island with warm and pleasant climate, famous for its sweet
nights. The canteen, after an agreement, can remain open and serve private beach-parties
under the summer moon, with music, drinks, fires, night swimming, and anything
else you can dream. In Vrahinari beach one can forget time and place and become
one with the wonderful sunset that reflects all the colors of the rainbow.
Gero-Gombos lighthouse & Kipouria Monastery
utside the village Havriata, the "balcony of the Ionian Sea" with
a magical view of the fertile lowland and the sea, there is the lighthouse of
Gero-Gombos with 16m height and luminosity of 20 miles. A few kilometers further
down to the left, we come across the monastery of Kipoureon, of the 18th century,
with icons from the post-Byzantine period and Italian-Cretan style. It is built
on a steep cliff that ends up in the blue sea. Turning left from the main road,
stands the village of Havdata , the biggest village of Paliki peninsula.
