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Area:782 sq. km., Population: 27,649, Capital: Argastoli, How to get there: by air from Athens and Zakynthos, by ferryboat from Patras, Kyllini, Astakos, Ithaca, Paxos, Corfu, Lefkada, Zakynthos, Igoumenitsa and Italy |
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HISTORY: Excavations in Cephaionia show that the island was inhabited by 10,000 BC and that it particularly flourished from 1600 to 1000 BC. During the Classical period it was allied with Athens and later withstood the Macedonians, only to fall to the Romans in 187 BC. In the 13th century, it was ruled successively by Franks, Italians, Turks (1484) and Venetians (1500). The French took over in 1797 and were followed by the British in 1809. Like the other lonians, it was united with Greece in 1864. The earthquake of 1953 devastated the island,except for the northern tip, ana the capiial Argostoli has been rebuilt over a larger area. Cephalonia has produced a great number of famous men in all walks of life (Coryiaienios, Vallianos, etc.). SIGHTSEEING: Cephalonia owes its curious shape and multiple natural phenomena to the predominance of limestone in its structure: the porous rock is easily eaten away. Among the latter are the famous ”katavothres” (water mills), where the water disappears underground only to reappear mysteriousiy at the other side of the island in the subterranean Melissani lake. Near Lixouri, Cephalonia’s second city”a boulder called the Kounopetra (or moving stone) used to rock in the waves (since the earthquake the rock has stopped its strange behaviour and the water only trickles through the mills). Another strange and inexpiicable phenomenon is the appearance of the harmless little snakes in the village of Markopoulo every August and their sudden disappearance after the 15th of the month. Argostoli has a small archaeological museum, one of the finest libraries in Greece, the Corgialenios Library, and one of the most interesting museums in the country, the Corgialenios Historical and Cultural Museum, showing what life was like in sophisticated Argostoli in the last century and before the earthquake. At Lixouri, separated from Argostoli by the Koutavos lagoon, the lakovatos Library is well worth a visit. The island is divided into three parts: Krani Pali and Sami. It has a good road network which connects its 365 villages - Assos, Fiscardo and Skala are among the most picturesqve - with its three towns - Argostoli, Lixouri and Sami. Among the most interesting sights are Lake Melissani, the Venetian castle of St. George, the ruins of ancient Krani with their Cyclopean walls, the monastery of Agios Andreas, as well as the historic church in the village of Domata. Near Sami are the ruins of the ancient city of the same name; ancient Pali was outside of Lixouri, near present-day Palaiokastro. From the hamlet of Haliotata one can visit the Drogarati cave, another of Cephalonia’s natural wonders. One of its chambers has such superb acoustics’ that concerts are often presented here. There are countless lovely beaches near Argostoli, Poros and Assos, which combine comfortable hotels, splendid scenery and a wealth of fascinating sights to attract numerous visitors seeking an interesting holiday. . |
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