Sightseeing

 

Koutavos is the name of the lagoon, located south of the bay of Argostoli. Its shape is ellipsoid, it length reaches 6.5 km and the extent of the 1300 acres. It is a wetland with rich flora and fauna (swans, ducks, gulls, etc.).

The shallowness was characterized particularly dangerous in the past (before the bridge was built) because of the marshy nature. Many mosquitoes and swamps made ​​it dangerous for human health and this was a problem for residents of nearby villages who wanted to visit Argostoli.

Today, the lagoon of Koutavos is a tourist attraction and breathtaking greenery for the city of Argostoli. It is a small green paradise near the noisy capital city.

 

The Swiss Charles-Philip De Bosset is the manufacturer of this project, which was the breath for residents of Argostoli and the villages of Kefalonia, the bridge De Bosset. The construction in 1813 of delighted residents of the island was for them a great advantage as regards their travel and avoid the ferrets a malaria outbreak and death.

Initially it was a wooden structure which after the leveling of the Metela hill was constructed out of stone. In the middle of the bridge you will find a monument dedicated to manufacturers, who have given this island such a large infrastructure project. Also, the road leading to the bridge is named after Charles-Philip De Bosset in honor of the man who gave new meaning to daily life.

Today it is necessary to restore the bridge, which has suffered damage and has not been restored because it is frequented by pedestrians and before 2005, even from vehicles.

 

Five kilometers outside Argostoli and towards Pessada, you come across the Mazarakata Tombs, found in the early 20th century. This is the largest cemetery of the Mycenaean period the ruins of the Mycenaean era, witness to the culture that flourished in this region.

The cemetery, which was found intact, is of great importance. Many reports were held in the books of Homer about Kefalonian cemeteries, and after what came to light, they seem rather confirmed.

The cemetery was found in 1813 by Colonel De Bosset. Many excavation activities took place in 1908 and 1909 by Kavadias, who along with Colonel De Bosset investigated 16 vaulted graves and 83 burials. Beneath the tombs and caves were roads through which they transfered the dead. The shapes (square, trapezoid, elliptical) and size (small, large) of the chambers vary.

 

Source:

Wonder Greece

 

At the Lighthouse of Saint Theodoroi, up the hill stands the Italian War Memorial, dedicated to the Italian soldiers of the Division Aqui who lost the battle by the Germans in an attempt not to surrender to them. This self-sacrifice and denial of delivery is reflected in this monument that remembers the pain of war and the values ​​of sacrifice and heroism.

This massacre had more than 117 victims, who were shot in Casetta Rosa (Red House, a short distance from Argostoli) in September 1943 (September 15th to 26th).

The construction of the monument began in 1975 and was completed in 1978. This semicircular space, enclosed by railings, covers an area of 52 square meters. At the monument there is also a white cross and next to this two inscriptions, one in Italian and the other in Greek stating the reason for the monument.

 

Source:

Wikipedia

 

Rizospaston Avenue took its name from the monument dedicated to Rizospastes for their contribution to the island’s unification with Greece. It is located at the end of the road. The Rizospaston Avenue is also known as a palm-avenue of Argostoli because of the palm trees that were planted alongside the road. Other known buildings along this avenue are the Philharmonic School of Argostoli and the Kosmetatos House.

 

Source:

Wikipedia

 

The Municipal Theatre of Kefalos is the largest theatre stage of Kefalonia and it is located to the Vallianou central square, in Argostoli. The theatre has been operating since 1994 but its history starts from 19th century. After the Destruction of Mikra Asia, the Municipal Theatre of Kefalos was used to house refugees and since then it stopped hosting shows. During the 2nd World War it was bombed and burned while the earthquakes of 1953 destroyed a big part of the building.

Nowadays, the theatre is considered to be a jewel for the kefalonians and has hosted performances of the National Orchestra of Opera, international productions, theatrical performances, concerts of major artists such as Mikis Theodorakis and others.

Contact information
Address:	Vergoti Ave., Argostoli
Tel.:	(+30) 26710 25600

 

The major philhellene poet Lord Byron has lived in Kefalonia and concretely to Lakithra village. The poet was born in London on 1788 and in the 1823 was chosen as a representative to the Commission Assistance for the struggle of the Greeks against the Turkish slave. It is said that in the island of Kefalonia Lord Byron has written some of the most famous poems sitting on a rock known as the Rock of Byron.

There is even today written on the rock an inscribed marble with the words of Lord Byron: “The poet that I am, I owe to the air of Greece”.

 

Source:

Wikipedia

 

The Cyclopean Walls, outside the village of Razata, are ruins of the walls of the ancient city of Kranis (7^th and 6^th centuries BC). They had a length of about 4km (now about 2km).

Krani was one of the cities of Kefalonia that were part of a kingdom called Ancient Sami that dominated Kelafonia for over three thousand years. They walls were namend Cyclopean because of their size. They are considered very important for the information we can learn from them about the Greek art of fortification during the Mycenaean era.

In the region, ruins of various buildings and a Doric temple dedicated to the goddess Dimitra and her daughter Persephone were found.

The Archaeological Museum of Argostoli has a carved inscription “Triopis Damatri kai Kora” (in other words, Triopida dedicates this to Dimitra and her daughter, Persephone). The name of the woman who made this dedication shows the ancient ties between the island and Messinia, because the father of the mythological heroine, Messinia, was called Triopas.

 

The Castle of Agios Georgios (Saint George) is situated 5 km away from Argostoli, above the village Peratata on a hill about 300 m high. It is probably built in the 12^th century AD by the Byzantine emperors.

It is a remarkable Venetian castle with later interventions mainly from Enetians in the 16^th century AD which dominates the southern part of Kefalonia and the bay of Argostoli. The castle was the capital of Kefalonia until 1757. In recent years the castle had several maintenance works in order to regain part of its old glory.

The outside walls which are preserved until today were built in 1504 by the Enetians. Churches and other buildings are still standing. In the main yard (Βorgo), east of the entrance, the Cathedral of Evangelistria (Annunciation), a typical example Ionian Baroque is still presenting the old glory.

Inside significant post-Byzantine icons from the ruined temples of the Castle are retained. There are still remnants of a bridge build during the period of the French occupation of the island.
In the courtyard of the fortress near a small square, you will see the ruins of the Catholic Church of Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas).

The castle was damaged by earthquakes in 1636 and 1637. The last earthquake of 1953 caused considerable damage. Historically we also are aware of the existence of a tunnel, connecting the castle with Argostoli, but this has not been revealed or investigated so far.

Be careful because the castle is open during the summer months only so get informed about the opening hours if you decide to visit it any other time of the year.

 

Source:

Wonder Greece

Greeka

 

One of the two castles which should not be missed out during your visit in Kefalonia is the Castle of Assos.

This castle is a genuine example of the Venetian fortification art. The Venetians wanted to establish a strong castle and state with a permanent population.

It is built on the peninsula of Assos, a highly strategic position. Nowadays you can enjoy the view and admire what is left of its former glory.

One of the monuments on this castle is the residence of the Venetian ruler (1593), the barracks and the church of Saint Marco. The big vault entrance of the castle still stands impressive and is preserved in good condition.