Kefalonia or Cephalonia
Kefalonia or Cephalonia is the largest of the ionian islands with an area of 737 sq.klm. and 48,000 inhabitants, is the largest of the Ionian Islands. It is 179 sea miles from Piraeus to Sami, the port reached by the ferry boat, is 58 s.m. from Patras. Argostoli, the capital, has 8,000 inhabitants. It is the most mountainous of the Ionian Islands and its highest peaks are Aino (1,620 m.) and Roudi (1,126 m.). Towards the Ionian Sea, the coast drops steeply to rocky beaches, but on he side overlooking the mainland of Greece there are plenty of sandy beaches and peaceful little coves. Apart from the capital, the main towns are Lixouri and Sami.
Archaeological sites and historic monuments in Kefalonia:
Argostoli Museum in Kefalonia: Very rich collection of pots and sherds of the pre-mycenaean era (1250 - 1150 B.C.)
Ancient Krani in Kefalonia: Three kilometres East of Argostoli and its reservoir are the ruins of the ancient town of Krani, with walls of immense hewn stones. From the Mycenaean epoch Kefalonia was divided into four regions with capitals of the same names: Palli, Krani, Sami and Pronnoi.
Mazarakata Tombs in Kefalonia: 8 klm. South of Argostoli there are sixteen large mycenaean cave tombs with hewn chambers and entrances: they were excavated in 1908. The important findings are in Argostoli Museum.
Kastro: 5 klm. South of Argostoli is the Venetian fortress of Agios Georgios, ancient capital of Kefalonia till 1757, when it was changed to Argostoli.
Pronnoi-Skala in Kefalonia: Site of the ancient town of Pronnoi. There are two acropoles of which ruins still exist with polygonal stones in the walls. Near Skala village a habitation of the Roman period, with interesting mosaics, representations and inscriptions, was found in 1956.
Ancient Palli in Kefalonia: Outside the town of Lixouri are the fortress and ruins of the ancient town.
Sami in Kefalonia: 24 klm. from Argostoli. Ruins of walls of squared hewn stone crown the two hills which rise above the town.
Excursions in Kefalonia (Cephalonia) :
Visit to Lasi: 1 klm. from Argostoli. These deep holes are an inexplicable geological phenomenon. The sea waters comes onto the dry land and is lost in the depths of the earth through various chasms.
Visit to Koutavo: Five miles through a thickly wooded area to the sea-lake of that name.
Platy Yialo: Wonderful beach of 4 klm. SE of Argostoli. Bathing establishments and Tourist Pavilion.
Makry Yialo: Fine sands of 3 klm. SE of Argostoli before Platy Yialo.
Nea Skala: Apart from its archaeological interest, a good bathing beach of 39 klm. East of Argostoli.
Visit to Livatho: Via Lakythra, 12 klm. Via Keramia, 26 klm. Livatho is the nautical area of Kefalonia. Attractive villages of the seafaring families like Kourkoumelata have been entirely rebuilt after the earthquakes by the Vergottis family, while Lakythra was rebuilt by the French. Metaxata, where Lord Byron stayed on his first arrival in Greece-Kefalonia had also been rebuilt.
