St. George's Castle, better known as "Castle", is located southwest of Argostoli, in Peratata village. First mention of the castle was around in 1262 and it has been preserved in its present condition since the 16th century. During the Venetian occupation, the castle was the island's capital with a population of 15.000 lived in its interior as well as the surrounding villages.
KOURKOUMELATA
At a small distance away from Argostoli we can come upon one of Cephalonia's prettiest villages, Kourkoumelata. Because the village was totally destroyed by the 1953 earthquake, shipowner G. Vergotis undertook its complete rebuilding with beautiful villas whose design is based on Swiss models. We suggest that you sit at the central cafeteria of the village to relax and enjoy the magnificent view.
In Metaxata village we can admire the house where Lord Byron, the famous English poet, lived for a few months in 1823. His statue has been erected in front of the house.
Omala, "the valley of the 40 wells" is situated west of Argostoli. The new church as well as the old cathedral are found there.
St. Gerassimos' corpse lays intact in a silver reliquary in the cathedral, underneath which we find the entrance to the cave that the Saint led a hermit's life. Every year on August 16th the (commemoration of his death) on October 20th (anniversary of his removal from the grave), a litany takes place, with the reliquary being tranfered from the church to a old plane tree, that was planted by the Saint himself.
The underground lake - grotto of Melissani attracts a vast number of visitors. It was discovered in 1951 by the cave expert Giannis Petroheilos, who dated it to the early Hellenisitc period. During a severe earthquake a large piece from the roof came off and collapsed, resulting in a revealing of an exquisite sight. The way the light falls on the rocks and the surface of the lake gives to the water reflections in green and blue hues. Daily, visitors are tranfered by boat to several parts of the cave, where one can admire the stalagmites hanging from the walls.
During antiquity, the cave was the worship place of god Panas and nymph Mellisanthi. Interesting archaeological discoveries include the altar of the god, an idol made of clay as well as a figure of a woman. According to the myth, nymph Mellissanthi committed suicide in the lake, because Panas did not return her love. In the same way, the "petrified" dolphins, hanging from the walls, are connected to the myth since they were supposed to send the nymph's messages to the god.
Drogarati Cave is located three kilometers outside Sami. After visitors have walked a downhill corridor of 44 meters, they reach a hall (30 m. x 40 m.), which is decorated with stalagmites and stalactites. The cave also contains a hall, named Hall of the Apotheosis, where musical concerts take place.
MYCENEAN GRAVE
At the region of Broutzi in Tzannata, the archaeologist Lazaros Kolonas discovered a big vaulted grave of the Mycenean period. This unearthing of the grave and the finding of fossils, tools and vessels proves that the region has been inhabited from the prehistoric period.
The grave is 6,80m. where entombments have been dated from 1400 until 1000 BC
The grave is the largest and the best preserved among those found on the island.
Its discovery proves the existence of a powerful Mycenean center, probably that of Homer's Ithaca.
According to history, in 1585 a team of Cephalonians requested from the Venetians the building of an additional castle, apart from St. George's, for the better protection of the island. So it was decided that the most appropriate area would be that of the Assos peninsula, due to the steep coasts which were inaccessible from sea. The engineers Marinos Gentilini and P. Gabuti collaborated for its construction, making the castle a fine sample of European art of fortification of the 16th c. Unfortunately though, the installation of permanent population was difficult in the peninsula resulting in the decline of the castle. In modern times it served as an agricultural prison until 1953.
The convent of St. Andreas in Peratata was almost ruined from the earthquake of 1953. The church has been reconstructed and it has been used as a museum.
The earthquake of 1953 revealed frescoes of the 16th c. due to the detachment of the cement plastering. Among the many discovered treasures, like icons and vestments, the most priceless exhibit of all, the foot of St. Andreas, is preserved in a glass reliquary.
AINOS MOUNTAIN
Ainos, or according to the Venetians Monte Nero, is the highest mountain of Cephalonia. It is densely wooded by the Cephalonian Fir Tree, which is unique worldwide. As a result, in 1962 Ainos forest with a total size of 28.620 m², was declared a National Park. The Park, which is the smallest of 10 National Parks in Greece, is located on the northeastern part of the island and is divided into two separate parts: the main bulk of Ainos (23.160 m²), with altitudes between 800m. and the highest summit (Megalos Soros) at 1.628m. and the mountain Rodi, situated on the northwest of the mountain (5.460 m²), with altitudes between 850m. high and the summit of 1.125m. Other types of vegetation, that can be encountered are: sprouts, brush-wood, herbs, oaks, evergreens, arbutus bushes, wild rose bushes, honey-suckle, αγιοκλήματα, agrambeli etc. Many varieties of the above are endemic to Cephalonia.
The top of the mountain offers a spectacular view. From there you can catch a glimpse of Zante, the mountains of Ithaca and the Peloponnese and if you are really in luck, you can admire the Wild Horses of Ainos, a species that is almost extinct. The area is also a place of archaeological interest, since the altar of Zeus has been discovered there.
Apart from Megalos Soros, other high summits are: Kokkini Rahi, Kserakias and Agia Dinati.
MYCENEAN GRAVE
At the region of Broutzi in Tzannata, the archaeologist Lazaros Kolonas discovered a big vaulted grave of the Mycenean period. This unearthing of the grave and the finding of fossils, tools and vessels proves that the region has been inhabited from the prehistoric period.
The grave is 6,80m. where entombments have been dated from 1400 until 1000 BC
The grave is the largest and the best preserved among those found on the island.
Its discovery proves the existence of a powerful Mycenean center, probably that of Homer's Ithaca.
SKALA
ROMAN VILLA
In 1957 a Roman Villa of the 3rd c. AD was discovered in Skala. The Villa is decorated by exquisite mosaic ground floors, which were the work of the artist Krateros. According to research, the owner was a well-off Roman since the villa had hot springs. Ruins of a doric 5th century temple dedicated to Apollo, were found on the outskirts of Skala.
POROS
It has been validated that during antiquity ships headed for Italy, Sicily, or Malta anchored at the beautiful bay of Poros. Furthermore, a temple dedicated to Neptune has been discovered around the same area, whose mosaic grounds we can admire at the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli.
Argostoli region
The ruins of ancient Krani (7th and 6th century B.C), along with the famous Cyclopean Walls protecting the region, have been discovered on the banks of the picturesque Koutavos Lake. Ruins of buildings, Doric temple dedicated to goddess Demeter and the ancient inscription «Τριοπίς Δάματρι και Κόρα» found 3 kl east of the region, give to the place great archaeological value. Part of those discoveries can be found in The Archaeological Museum.
