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Kefalonia Traditional Villages

ErissosThe municipality of Erissos has many traditional villages that one can visit. I will mention their names below to give you the opportunity to choose but I will also give you a small description of my own favorites. So, here they are:Vasilikades, Konidarata, Antipata, Germenata, Psilithrias, Assos, Vari, Karia, Kothreas, Defaranata, Drapanitika, Kokolata, Komitata, Agia Sophia, Mesovounia, Neochori, Patrikata, Playa, Touliata, Agrilias, Ventourata, Vigli, Magganos, Markoulata, Chalikeri, Fiskardo, Asteris (which is an island), Evreti, Katsarata (full of beautiful houses made of stone), Matsoukata, Tselentata.

Fiskardo 50km north of Argostoli is Kefalonia's prettiest village, the only one undamaged by the 1953 earthquake. Its pastel-painted 18th century Venetian houses cluster by the harbor which is a popular berth for yachts. It is also busy in the summer with daily ferry services and day trips from elsewhere on Kefalonia. Despite the crowds and gift shops Fiskardo retains its charm.

lefkada island - fiskardo village lefkada island - fiskardo village

It took its name from the Norman conqueror Roberto Gaiskardo that besieged the area in 1805. Fiskardo is also the place of descendance of the famous poet Nikos Kavadias.

Assos is an unspoilt village on Kefalonia' s west coast. The surrounding hilly terrain is noted for its stone terracing which once covered the island. On the peninsula across the isthmus from Assos is a ruined Venetian fortress, built in 1595, which has seen occupation by Venetians and stays by the French and Russians in the 19th century. Now Assos sees mostly day-trippers, as there is little accommodation in the village. South of Assos is Myrtos, a lovely cove with one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

lefkada island - assos village lefkada island - Myrtos village beach

Following the main road of the island always remaining inside the municipality of Erissos, it is very easy to take some turns in order to visit some more of the traditional villages such as Karia, Komitata, Neochori, Mesovounia, Playa and Vasilikades. These were the ones that impressed me the most. In Playa take the time to visit the residences of Harokopos (1898) and Kavadias (1869). The most pleasant route is the one that connects Komitata with Karia and Vari.

Paliki Moving on to the western part of the island, you bump on the municipality of Paliki, which is the agricultural part of Kefalonia and where there are many interesting places that you can see. Visit Ag. Vasilios, Agios Dimitrios, Lepeda, Loggos, Loukerata, Mihalitsata, Agia Thekli, Kalata, Atheras, Damoulianata, Kaminarata, Moni Iperagias Theotokou Kipouraion, Mantzavinata, Vardiani (which is an island), Vouni, Kontogenada, Kouvalata, Livadi, Dellaportata, Parisata, Rifi, Skineas, Vlyxata, Soullari, Favatata, Havdata and Havriata.

Damoulianata, Monopolata, Kontogenada and Rifi are a typical example of the villages that present a high archaeological interest and that's why the tourists that visit them are numerous.

lefkada island - monopolata village lefkada island - markopoulos village

Livathos The third municipality that I visited is Livathos which can be found on the southern part of the island. Some of its villages are Keramies, Vlahata, Simotata, Karavados, Lakithra, Menegata, Lourdata, Metaxata, Mousata, Peratata, Kastro, Agios Andreas, Pesada, Dorizata, Kountourata, Svoronata, Spartia, Klismata and Korianna.

lefkada traditional villages - old traditional man lefkada traditional villages - donkey

A personal favorite, Svoronata, with the red sand of Avithos beach is a place worthwhile. Don't forget to take a look out to the tiny islet of Dias. This was named after a tiny islet off the coast of Crete and like that one, had an altar to Zeus. Sacrifices were co-ordinated by smoke signals with those on mountain Ainos.

Kastro, meaning the polygonal castle of Agios Georgios is spread over a 1050ft hill with a grand view of the surrounding plains and mountains. Founded by the Byzantine emperors the citadel was completely rebuilt by the Venetians and Greeks under Nikolaos Tsimaras after the fierce siege of 1500 dislodged the Turks. The island capital until 1757, Ag. Georgios once had a population of 14.000. Storerooms, prisons, Venetian coats-of-arms, a ruined Catholic Church and a bridge built by the French during the brief occupation. Visiting it is definitely a "must" if you want to get in touch with the historic part of the location.

lefkada traditional villages - castle lefkada traditional villages - castle

greek islands - dolphins

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