Kefalonia
The magnificent sights, amazing beaches, rich cultural heritage, great monuments, mountains, castles, remote monasteries and cheerful, hospitable people are the treasures making Kefalonia one of the most attractive destinations.
It is the biggest island of the Ionian Sea, at the outlet of Patraikos Bay, between Zante and Lefkada. It stretches over an area of 904 km2 with a coastline length of 250 km.
The island has a splendid natural beauty and a diversified geological structure with innumerable small bays and rich vegetation; the mountain Aenos (National Park since 1962 supporting rich flora and fauna) looks impressive from far away.
During the Byzantine period Kefalonia formed part of the province of Achaia and the prefecture of East Illyria. It was conquered by the Normans, the Franks, the Venetians and the Turks. It joined the rest of Greece along with the other Ionian Islands, on May 21st, 1864. The inhabitants’ resistance against the Italians and the Germans during World War II was considerable.
The movie ‘’Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’’ shot in the natural scenery of the island refers to a history of the Resistance movement.
On foot – Argostoli
Argostoli is the island capital (as well as the capital of Kefalonia and Ithaca prefecture) since 1757. It is a modern town, which preserves its traditional character, built amphitheatrically with a view of the Koutavous lagoon, which is a crossing area for the migratory birds. The city has many neoclassical buildings, big squares, churches and remarkable cultural activity.
What to see in Argostoli:
The Archaeological Museum
Exhibiting important findings discovered in the whole island, mainly dating back to the Mycenaean period.
The Korgialeneios Library
One of the biggest libraries in Greece, housing more than 55,000 volumes and a great collection of Byzantine icons.
The Folklore and History Museum
It hosts exhibits associated with the history of the island (costumes, weapons, heirlooms etc.) and many every-day life objects.
The central and spacious Valianos square
With the statue of the benefactor P. Vallianos, many cafes, restaurants and bars.
The Napier Garden
It was named after the British Governor Napier, who in the middle of the 19th century realized many infrastructure projects on the island and despite its limited space has a variety of trees.
The Rizospaston Street
With palm trees and the monument to radical revolutionaries.
Lithostroto
The central street of the town, with commercial stores and many meeting points for young people.
The Kampanas square
Situated in the middle of the Lithostroto, with the belfry bearing the same name (recently renovated according to the plans of the original tower which collapsed during the earthquakes of 1953), offering an amazing view of the town and the Koutavou Lagoon.
The Drapano stone bridge
The 900 meter long Drapano stone bridge (or Devoset bridge) built by the English in 1813 in order to connect Argostoli to the opposite coast.
The coastal Public Market
Where you will find the bust of the Kefalonian poet Nikos Kavadias.
The “Farao” Hill offering a panoramic view to the town. The Katavothres
Which are situated near the lighthouse of Aghioi Theodoroi. These are caves, where the sea waters enter and pass through them reaching Sami at the other side of the island after a 14 day journey.
The Aghioi Theodoroi lighthouse
At the end of the peninsula of Lassi, where the sunset is majestic.
The “Giro of Lassi”
A seaside road which leads from the town to Lassi.
The “Vinaries Wine Storehouse”
In “Thalassomylos”, hosting an exhibition of wine and local products.
Ainos Forest
Kefalonia is the biggest Greek island in the area of the Ionian Sea and Mount Ainos is the highest mountain in the same area, with an altitude that surpasses 1,600 m. Mount Ainos is well known not only for its altitude but also due to its dense forest of Kefalonian fir trees (Abies cephalonica), which dominate at the upper altitudes.
This species is endemic to Greece and was described for the first time in the same region. In the area three different habitats can be discerned: the fir tree forest, which can be pure or at lower altitudes be mixed with elements of maquis (Arbutus ssp. Quercus ssp. etc.), the rocky or pebbly slopes which are characterized by more sparse vegetation and on which one can often come across interesting floral elements and the rocky peaks and the non-forested upper regions of Mount Ainos, on which several endemic plants of Kefalonia or the Ionian Islands can be found. The area has been designated as a National Park.
The fir forest of Mount Ainos as an ecosystem and as a natural heritage is of particular significance as it is the only one of its kind in the Ionian region. It is also noted that the significance of this forest lies in the genetic pureness of the species Abies cephalonica, since in mainland areas of Greece, where this species can also be found, it is often crossbred with the Balkan fir species Abies borisii-regis. Mount Ainos is important from a bio geographical point of view since on its slopes and peaks endemic plant species can be found.
Also, the spread patterns of several plant species which are found in the area indicate close bio geographical ties between the Greek and Italian peninsulas.
Caves
Sakkos Cave
It is a site of archaeological interest, found at the homonym location, between Skala and the Temple of Apollo. It consists of two cavities linked by a small tunnel. The findings verify its usage by prehistoric people.
Melissani cave
It is located not far from Karavomilo. It is a lacustrine cave of unique beauty and fully developed cave, which is 3.5 km long, 40m wide and 36m high. Melissanthi cave constitutes a unique geological phenomenon. It was created by a mechanical and chemical process called karstikopoiisi (dissolution of rocks) during which water enters the calcareous rocks, erodes them and creates hollows.
The underground Melissanthi lake was discovered in 1951 by speleologist Giannis Petrochilos. A big part of its roof has fallen down revealing an amazing sight. During antiquity the lake was a place of worship dedicated to Pan and Nymph Melissanthi. Myths mention that Melissanthi committed suicide and fell in the lake because Pan was not responding to her love for him.
The lake includes also an islet on which archeologist S. Marinatos discovered Pan’s sanctuary. The findings are at present in the Archeological Museum of Argostoli. These findings include a clay figure of Pan, a clay disc depicting dancing nymphs, a clay plate depicting the procession of nymphs and a small plate with a woman figure relief. Visitors reach the lake by an underground tunnel and have the opportunity to explore it with a boat and a guide. Therefore, they can admire this unique natural work of sculpture created by the stalactites and the crystal blue-green color of the waters.
Drogarati Cave
The grandiosity of nature has created here a unique work of art. Once inside the cave, the visitor is instantly captivated by this remarkable workshop of the earth, where stalactites and stalagmites have been forming for thousands of years. The reflection of sunlight on the stalactites creates an unrealistic atmosphere. The cave contains a 44-m-long descending passageway that leads to a chamber of 30 x 40 m. The latter, decorated with multi-hued stalactites and stalagmites, is renowned for its excellent acoustics and is prearranged for concerts on a special platform which is along the back wall of the cave. Its domed roof is intact and is of a unique, magical formation. The Drogarati Cave is a rare geological phenomenon and attracts thousands of visitors.
Churches of Kefalonia
- The church of Aghios Spyridon with the ornate wood carved chancel, in Poulata.
- The church of Panaghia (Virgin Mary) in Ntomata, where you can also see the impromptu coffin of Patriarch Gregorios V.
- Panaghia Sissiotissa (1517) on the coastal avenue.
- The catholic church of Aghios Nikolaos.
- The church of Aghia Varvara, built on a rock next to the bridge of Drapano and opposite to the town.
