About Kefalonia, Greece

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Basic Intro to Kefalonia

Kefalonia (Cephalonia), famous to most people for being the setting of the novel, Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres and the island on which the film of the same name was made. It is the largest island in the Ionian Group of Greek islands. It is part of the prefecture of Kefalonia and Ithaca and its capital is Argostoli. Although the island is a popular tourist destination, and the main towns offer a vibrant nightlife, there are many destinations completely unspoiled and offering quieter, more restful holidays; something for everyone. About 1 in 3 of the islands inhabitants live in Argostoli and almost as many in the island's second largest town of Lixouri. Near to Argostoli is the purpose-built tourist resort of Lassi.

Kefalonia suffered badly, in the earthquakes of 1953, and many villages were seriously damaged. Like all the islands it has had a long and turbulent history but was not part of the Ottoman Empire, remaining under the authority of the Venetians. In the last few years an important Roman burial site and nearby theatre has been discovered in Fiscardo. They date back around 2000 years and are thought to be the most important Roman discoveries made in this group of islands. Museums on the island are to be found in Argostoli ( Korgialeneios Museum, the Kosmetasos Foundation and the Archaeological museum), in Lixouri the Iakovatios Library and, in Fiscardo, the Museum. Two monasteries of note on the island are Haghia Panagia in Markopoulo and that of Agios Gerasimos.

Kefalonia is an island of great natural beauty with high, often forested mountain ranges, caves (the caves of Drongorati and Melissani) and beautiful beaches and tiny bays. Frequently the bays, with their light, gleaming sands are surrounded by high cliffs and dense vegetation, and are only accessible by boat. The highest mountain on the island is Mount Ainos and to the north-west are the Paliki mountains. Because the island is so mountainous pnly a small percentage of it is suitable for agricultural purposes so that animal husbandry and olive growing are the main occupations outside the tourist industry.

The most important harbours on the island are those of Same (Sami), Poros, Argostoli and Fiskardo. Along the coast road from Poros is Skala, with its beautiful sandy beaches. It is a post earthquakes-of-1953 village. The original village of that name was on the hillside to the north-east and was virtually destroyed in the earthquakes. However, for those enjoying a walk, the ruins of the village remain and to wander amongst them makes the hike well worthwhile. At Poros is a spectacular natural ravine, with steep slopes and an 80m. precipice.

Notable beaches are Atheras, Katelios, Mounda Bay (Near Kateleios) and Myrtos Beach near Pylaros; in the Paliki peninsula, north of Lixouri can be found the Petani Beach and to the south of Lixouri those of Lepeda, Vatsa Bay and Xi beach.

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