Argostoli 1 KEFALONIA It has been the capital town of the island since 1757. Argostoli is a modern town that keeps KEFALONIA many of the traditional architectural elements of the past. It has been built in an amphithea- 51 tre-like manner, overlooking Koutavos lagoon, a stopover area for many migratory birds. A large number of neoclassical buildings, large squares and churches grace the town. There is a remarkable diversity of cultural events as the town’s Philharmonic Band, choirs, and drama groups are quite active. Town promenade 47. Argostoli: the commemorative obelisk • To the central, spacious Vallianos Square, at Drapanos Bridge. where the statue of benefactor P. Vallianos vos lagoon is marvellous. stands surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and • To the Municipal Market, by the beach, bars. where the bust of local poet Nikos Kavvadias • To Napier’s Garden, named after British Lord stands. High Commissioner Sir Charles James Napier • To Drapanos stone bridge (also named De who, in the mid-19th century carried out many Bosset Bridge). Built by the British in 1813, it infrastructure works on the island. Though small is 900 metres long and links Argostoli with the in size, the garden has a large variety of tree opposite coast. Do visit the Municipal Cem- species. etery at nearby Drapanos village where there • To Rizospaston Street, bordered by palm are exquisite marble sculptures and monuments trees; this is the location of Risospaston Monu- created by famous artists. ment. • To the Archeological Museum, exhibiting • To Lithostroto, the town’s main street lined finds from various sites on the island, mostly with shops and haunts of the young. dating from the Mycenaean period. • To Kampana square, halfway down Lithos- • To Korgialeneios Library, one of the largest troto where Kampana belfry stands. It has been in Greece, housing over 55,000 volumes and a restored recently, based on the original plans rare Byzantine icon collection. of the one destroyed in the 1953 earthquakes. • To the History and Folk Art Museum, ex- From the top, the view of the town and Kouta- hibiting items relating to the island’s history 46. Green areas and blue waters blend beautifully on Kefalonia. 48. The lighthouse in Agioi Theodoroi, Argostoli. agnificent scenery, amazing beaches, a rich cultural heritage, great monuments, mountains, castles, distant monasteries and the cheerful, hospitable people are the assets that have M turned Kefalonia Island (or Cephallonia) into one of the most attractive destinations. The larg- est Ionian island lies in the mouth of Patraikos Gulf, between Zakynthos (or Zante) and Lefkada (area: 904 sq. km; coastline: approx. 250 km). It is endowed with an exquisite nature and diverse geological formations, countless coves, and lush vegetation. Ainos Mountain Range towers in the distance (a National Reserve area since 1962 with an abundant and diverse flora and fauna). In Byzantine times, Kefalonia was part of both the Achaia province and the Eastern Illyria district. Throughout the centuries, it has successively been under Norman, Frankish, Venetian, and Turkish rule. It became Greek territory on May 21st, 1864, along with the rest of the Ionian Islands. During WWII, local resistance to Italians and Germans was sturdy. The film “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, shot on location on this island, is about such an account of resistance. KEFALONIA 53 49. Panoramic view of Asos, one of Kefalonia’s prettiest, most picturesque villages. Dafnoudi Kimilia ATOKOS Emblissi Markantonata ! [N ! Fiskardo Alaties Tzanata Foki KEFALONIA ! ! Xilokaravo Tzamarelata Doliha (Evreti) Ag. Ierousalim Kamini 55 Avlaki Kakogilos ITHACA (ΙΤΗΑΚΙ) Spilio I T H ! Assos Kalo Limnioni A K ! I Karia Ag. Sofia - Atheras ! K Patrikata Horgota E Mirtos ! F Komitata A L Fteri O Ag. Kiriakis Neohori ! Giagana N I Agni Vouti I A K ! Atheras A H T Makriotika I - !P Halkes ! Agia Efimia ! A Ag. Elenis Agkonas ! I Petani N O Drakopoulata L A F ! Kardakata E Palioras Ag. Paraskevis K Platia Ammos Antisamos Livadi ! Kontogenada ! ! PA ! Karavomilos T Koumaria !P RA Agia Thekli Sami - Kipouria Lithos KEF ! A Monopolata Farsa ! L Sotira ! Poulata ON Kaminarata! Dilinata IA Yaliskari Ag. Spiridonas !P ! ! Grizata 50. Argostoli. Koutavos lagoon is in the background. ! Favatata Davgata Havdata ! Lixouri Limnioni Ag. Konstantinos Xilomata !P Loggos ! Faraklata Lazarou and products on display. Soulari ! Kiani Akti Razata ! Lepeda ! ! • To the “Natural History Museum”, at Dav- Churches Havriata "T Valsamata Matzavinata ARGOSTOLI !P Ag. Ioannis Digaleto gata village (5 km N) which provides information • Agios Nikolaos, a Catholic church. !P Aragia on Kefalonia’s and Ithaca’s natural environment • Panagia i Sissiotissa (1517), by the main KILINI Xi Kompothekrata KEFALONIA los ! Poros !P and marine zone as well as data on the Ainos beachfront road. Lagadakia Peratata ! !P Tzanata • Agia Varvara, built on a rock, next to Drapanos Lakithra ! Karavados National Reserve (tel: 26710-84.400). Ag. Nikolaos Platis Ya ! Metaxata Limenia Kounoupas ! Vlahata Kounopetra ! !P ! Keramies Megas Lakkos !P Agia Eirini ! Makris YalosMinies Kourkoumelata! ! Kako Laggadi 51. Argostoli’s seafront. BARDIANOI Svoronata Pessada ! Spartia Asprogerakas Arginia is ! Pastra el ! AmmesH - Ligia Lourda Markopoulo Ai Trapezaki ! Avithos SpartiaAg. Thoma Sisia Ratzakli ! Skala !P Skala PaliolinosNipsias Koroni Mounda Katelios Kaminia 0 3 6 12 km (costumes, weaponry, heirlooms, etc.) and eve- rebuilt according to the original plan. ryday life. • To the “Round of Lassi”, a fantastic circular • To Pharaoh Hill, offering a panoramic view route starting from Argostoli and going around of the town. Lassi peninsula by the sea and the rugged coast- • To Katavothres, near Agioi Theodoroi Light- line. Lassi (2 km W of Argostoli) is a popular house, where the seawater dropping into these tourist resort with two cosmopolitan sandy underground caverns resurfaces 14 days later at beaches: Makrys Gialos and Platys Gialos. Karavomylos (in Sami area), at the other end of • To the “Botanical Garden”: Its 8 stremmata the island! (8,000 sq.m.) of land is home to endemic and • To Agioi Theodoroi Lighthouse, on the tip other flora species. There is also a space avail- 46.of LassiΆσσος peninsula where sunset view is enthral- able for music events. ling. Originally built in 1829 by the British, it was • To “Vinaries Wine Cellar & Shop”, in “Tha- destroyed in the 1953 earthquakes and was later lassomylos” location where there are local wines Makrys Gialos and Platys Gialos. Lakithra 2 fort, the island’s medieval capital, near Travliata • You will find a game farm in Pesada. There village. Its impressive walls and underground is a ferry service to Zante. It is a large village south of Argostoli, sur- passages are in relatively good condition but the KEFALONIA • The island offers many opportunities for re- rounded by lovely smaller villages and marvel- Venetian Governor’s residence, the barracks, ligious tourism since many of the Monasteries lous sandy beaches. The locals call this entire and San Marco Catholic church are in ruins. 57 have guest quarters for pilgrims and visitors area “Leivatho”. Ferries make runs from Pesada • The Mycenaean tombs at Mazarakata. alike who wish to become better acquainted to Zante. Distance from Argostoli: 7 km S. • Dias islet with the church of Panagia with Kefalonia’s religious monuments. Must see Vlachernon, opposite Avythos beach. • Kourkoumelata, Metaxata, Kaligata, • Lourdas beach area (15.5 km E) and the Sports Domata and Svoronata villages with local choice fresh produce. • Scuba diving at Lassi magnificent neoclassical buildings, beautiful • Tennis squares and a breathtaking sea view. • Mountaineering • The 1587 Milapidia Monastery. Activities • Swimming at the sandy beaches Minias, • Beach volleyball • The 13th-century Agios Georgios Venetian Ammes, Ai Chelis, Lygia, Avythos, Agios Thomas, • Water sports • Hunting 53. Makrys Gialos: one of the island’s most popular beaches. • Mini golf • Mini football on a 5X5 field • Swimming in heated pools • Track & field sports • Extreme sports and hydromassage at Lassi • Well-equipped campsite at Fanari. Useful phone numbers (+30) • Municipal Office: 26713-60.100 • E.O.T. (Greek National Tourism Organisation) : 26710-22.248 52. “Kefalos” theatre, Argostoli. • Police Station: 26710-22.200 bridge, opposite the town. • Tourist Police: 26710-23.226 • Agios Spyridon (at Poulata village), with an • Traffic Police: 26710-23.226 elaborate wood-carved iconostasis. • General Hospital: 26710-24.641 • Panagia, at Domata, where the temporary cof- • KTEL Long-distance buses: fin that carried Patriarch Gregory V’s body is kept. 26710-22.281 • Argostoli Port Authority: 26710-22.244 Events • Kefalonia Airport: 26710-28.808 • Various cultural events take place at “Kefalos”, Museums a historic theatre in Argostoli. • Archeological Museum: 26710-28.300 • The procession of the island’s patron saint, Agi- • Korgialeneio History and Folk Art os Gerasimos, on August 16th and October 20th. Museum: 26710-28.221 • Agia Effimia’s feast, on July 11th. Argostoli website: www.argostoli.gr • The carnival festivities that take place in many villages. • The Commemoration of the Union with Greece, Trips around on May 21st. Kefalonia Island Activities • Swimming. If you stay in Argostoli you will Central and southern swim at Kamaroules, Gradakia, Paliostafida, Kefalonia Trapezaki, Lourdas, Paradeisi, Sisia, Katsonas, ond largest port and the only one connecting Nisi, Lefka and Koroni.