Kefalonia
The largest island in the Ionian, Kefalonia is a land of contrasts.
Just for starters don't miss the view from the castle at Assos. On
your left, spread out beneath your feet, lies the enchanting turquoise
Bay of Myrtos renowned for its afternoon sun and soft white sand.
Or you might swim in the crystal clear water of Poros. You can also
go up to the top of Mt. Enos (1.620 meters above sea level). Its slopes
are covered with tall, cedar-like fir trees that grow nowhere else
in the world. On other parts of the island you'll run into groves
filled with olive or orange trees and hillsides studded with grapevines,
breathtaking golden beaches and deep coves, rugged rocky shores or
visit famous caves.
The cave at Melissani is actually a partially covered subterranean
lake. When the sun is directly overhead, its rays strike the ultramarine
water shattering into a myriad phantasmagorical colours. Drogorati,
on the other hand, is known for its unusual stalactites.
In the area of Lassi, 1,5 kilometers from Argostoli, are the famous
Katavothres (swallow-holes), a rare geological phenomenon. Here
sea water enters openings in the rock and "disappears".
Only recently were scientists able to trace it. They found that
it travels northeast through underground all the way across the
island finally to emerge at Melissani, near the village of Karavomilos,
opposite Sami. (In the past water poured in at such a rate it was
used to power two enormous sea mills.)
Argostoli
Of the old, immensely attractive city of Argostoli, the capital,
which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1963, 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. During your stay there you could visit its interesting
museums (Archaeological Museum: tel.: 28300: Folk Art Museum: tel.:
28835), its Library: tel.: 28221 and swim at the famous nearby beaches
of Makris and Platis Gialos.
Lixouri, Kefalonia's second largest town, has a peaceful atmosphere,
a lovely 19th century mansion-museum, and vestiges of the ancient
city of Pali. The beaches to the south are among the best on the
island.
Sightseeing on the Island
• South of Argostoli near the
village of Domata lies the church of Panagia with an exceptional
carved wooden icon screen.
• NE of Domata the Monastery of
Agios Andreas near the village of Peratata has a wonderful icon
collection.
• Above the monastery looms the
castle of St. George built by the Venetians in 1504. Within its
walls there is a small piazza, the Kanoni, and north of it the ruins
of the Catholic Church of St. Nicholas. The view of the fertile
valley and its villages spread out below the castle is splendid.
• The area of Katelios in the southeast
of the island has two outstanding beaches, one near the seaside
hamlet of Katelio and the other at Skala. In this area were discovered
the ruins of a 3rd century B.C. building from the height of the
Roman era, perhaps the home of a wealthy Roman businessman, which
contains excellent, well•preserved mosaics.
• On the East Side of the island
are Poros, Sami, and Agia Efimia with its pebbled beach.
• Fiskardo, the northernmost harbour
on Kefalonia, has kept its traditional colour. Lying opposite and
very close to Ithaca, it is surrounded by a thick cypress glade.
• On the West Side of the island
is Assos, a charming village built astride the isthmus of the peninsula
of the same name, famous for its picturesque castle.
The good road network, which covers the whole island, makes it
easy to explore Kefalonia from one side to the other: its deep blue
waters, steep bare cliffs, lush valleys, picturesque and secluded
villages.
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