Livatho - Skala - Poros

If we return to Argostoli and drive southeast, we will enter the region of Livathos. The first village we meet is Minies, where the modern airport of Cephalonia is located. We pass the beach Ammes, which along with Xi, is known for its red sand. Next is the village of Domata. Here we have the chance to marvel at the church of Virgin Mary (Panagia), housing the coffin of Patriarch Grigorios V and a gilded icon-screen. There is another icon-screen (19th c.) in the village of Kalligata, where the family that produces the wine "Calliga" originates from. In this area you can swim in another beautiful Cephalonian beach, Avithos, and you can also visit the small island of Dias (Zeus) with its church of Virgin Mary of Vlaherna.

As we continue our tour, we arrive at Kourkoumelata, probably the most attractive village of Cephalonia,. After the earthquake of '53, the ship owner G. Vergotis, re-built the village, filling it with lovely villas, gardens, a stadium and a Cultural Center. We suggest that you stop and sit at the central cafeteria of the village, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee with a view of an exquisite sunset.

Further on, is the village of Metaxata where Lord Byron lived for a while, and Lakythra, which is the largest village of the region Livathos. Keramies, with the Vallianoi noble house, Pessada, with its magnificent beach and Spartia are other villages in the area worth visiting.

The Castle of St George dominates the view above Peratata village on the mainroad back to Argostoli. The Castle with its enclosed settlement was the capital of the island until 1757. The castle covers an area of 16.000 m² and has a circumference of 600 m. Centuries ago, it housed a hospital, prison, residences and churches such as those of St. Nicholas, St. George and four catholic cathedrals. Today you can see the preserved observatories and canon portals. In the Peratata area one can visit the interesting Convent of Apostolou Andrea Malapidias, housing the sacred foot of St. Andrew.

Turning on the mainroad to Poros, we pass the villages of Poriarata, Moussata and Vlahata. Two short detour roads will take us to sandy Trapezaki beach and the blue pebbly beach of Lourdas. Both give the visitor the opportunity to eat in one of the seaside restaurants or to have fun by engaging in sea sports. Other sights of the area are the church of St. Paraskevi (14th c.) and the healing water spring in Paliofournos. By taking the main road again, we come upon the village of Simotata, and a little further on the convent of Virgin Mary of Sissia, where the monk and hagiographer Gerassimos Kokkinos or Stroumboulos lived. We continue on to Platies, Chionata, Valeriano, Thiramona and Mavrata, till we end up in Katelios, a fishing village with a sandy beach, where you can find fresh fish and local wine. The road leads us to Ratzakli, with its seemingly endless beach, where the Caretta-Caretta turtles reproduce.

Skala lies at the southern tip of Cephalonia. It is one of the most tourist-frequented places of Cephalonia, with a long beach protected by pine trees. Modern hotels, taverns and bars reward the visitor for the choice made. The region caters to any archaeology lovers with the 1957 discovery of a roman mansion, complete with a hot spring and mosaics made by the ancient artist Crateros. Additional sights include the ruins of a Doric temple dedicated to Apollo, the cave Sakkos and the picturesque settlement of Palaio Chorio, with water treadmills.

Going back to the main road, we pass through Markopoulo village, with the Church of the Virgin Mary. Around August 15th , the sacred "snakes of Virgin Mary" appear, having a black cross on the top of their heads, filling the church yard and surrounding the icon of Virgin Mary. After the feast, the snakes mysteriously disappear, until next year, when they appear again.

Our tour leads us to the villages of Kremmidi, Pastra, St. George, St. Irini and Tzannata. In the area of Broutzi, in Tzannata, a grave from the mycenean period was recently discovered, as well as fossils, tools and vessels, proving the existence of a Mycenean center, probably that of Homeric Ithaca. Also, at an altitude of 800m. height, near Tzannata one can visit the oldest monastery of Cephalonia, the Convent of Atros with its medieval castle. At the end of the road we find ourselves in the villages of Digaleto, Tsakarissiano and St. Nicholas, all belonging to the area of Pyrgi. In St. Nicholas you can admire the Akoli or Avithos Lake, whose bottom has not yet been detected.

Concluding our tour, we end up in Poros. This is one of the main ports of the island, directly connecting the island to the mainland at the port of Kyllini. Poros is full of hotels, taverns, bars, cafeterias, and athletic centers. The area attracts a lot of tourists and two of its landmarks are the rock in the middle of the port and the splendid dawn. Poros is really one of the most attractive places in Cephalonia.

Now that our tour in Cephalonia has ended, you can embark on your own journey around our beautiful and peculiar island.

"Kales Antamosses"
(until we meet again)