Kefalonia sightseeing - Places to visit in Kefalonia

September 3, 2008

Kefalonia is the largest island of the Ionian Sea. Its land is an alternation of mountains, some barren and some green, and of fertile valleys. In many places, it has rocky and abrupt coasts and, in others places, large and sandy beaches, which open to the blue clean waters of the Ionian Sea. The good tourist accommodations and the mild climate of the island make it a nice place to visit for vacations.

Because of its irregular form, the island has four large gulfs that are safe ports for boats. In the north there is the Gulf of Myrtos, in the east that of Sami, in the south that of Lourda, and in the west that of Argostoli, the capital of the island. In the north and east, Kefalonia has coasts abrupt and rocky and in the south and west, large and sandy. Here the majority of villages are located. The climate is mild, rain is rare and, due to the winds of the Ionian Sea, the summer is cool and pleasant.

In the area of the village of Sami, the second largest port of the island, there are interesting geological phenomena, like the Cave of Drongorati, with stalagmites, and the cave of Melissani, with a subterranean lake. The caves can be visited. In the village of Karavomilos, near Sami, another phenomenon of great interest is the Katabothres. Here, springs of sea water come out from the earth.

In Kefallonia, like in Zakinthos, the rare turtle Kareta-Kareta lays its eggs on the beaches of the island and a project for their protection by an ecological association is in development.

Kefalonia Architecture

In 1953 a earthquake destroyed some sites of the island and today its dwellings are modern constructions that were rebuilt according to the characteristic architecture of the Ionian Islands. Some villages that were not destroyed, like Fiskardo, are reminders of old Kefallonia.

Kefalonia Historical Places

  • The Archeological Museum of the capital Argostoli, with findings of all the historical period of the island.
  • The Folk Museum and the Collection of Icons, in the public library of the capital.
  • The Remains of the Ancient City Sami, in the area of today?s town of Sami.
  • The Collection of Ancient Ceramics and post Byzantine icons, in the village of Lissouri.
  • The Graves of Mycenaean Period, in the village of Lixouri.
  • The Venetian Castle, in the village of Asos.

Kefalonia Monasteries

  • The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, which houses the remains of the Saint, near the village of Blahata, in the valley of Omalon.
  • The Monastery of Panagia of Thematon , near the village of Agia Efthimia.
  • The Monastery of Panagia Kekrionos, of Panagia Koronatou and of Kipouria, near the village of Lixouri.
  • The Monastery of Panagia of Atrou, the oldest of the island.
  • The Monastery of Panagia of Agrilion, near the village of Sami.
  • The Monastery of Agios Andreas, with the remains of the Saint, near the village of Svoronata.
  • The Monastery of Panagia of Platiteras, near the village of Fiscardo.

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