ARGOSTOLI

Of course, you should start your trip to the beautiful island of Kefalonia from its capital city, Argostoli. It is located in the centre of the southern part of the island at the far end of the bay with the same name. It was destroyed completely by the 1953 earthquake along with its old mansions and majestic bell-towers.

You enter the city by passing over its pretty stone bridge decorated by the Colona, a small pyramid, a monument dedicated to Charles de Bosset, who built the bridge. You see a modern city mirrored in the quiet water of its natural harbour with new buildings, such as the Administration Building, the Archaeological Museum, the Public Library, the Court House, the Municipal Theater etc.

One of the largest provincial stadia is the Stadium of Argostoli, <<Andreas Vergotis>>, a present from Roccos Vergotis, located at the edge of Koutavos Lagoon. You continue your way along the coastal road, where you can see the market place of fruit stores and fish shops. Don't miss the chance to take a walk along the marvelous seashore sidewalk with its palm trees and paved with sea pebbles.

You can see the sail-boat of summer visitors moored in a row. Turning left, you arrive at the main square where you can see the fine patisseries, restaurant and hotels. Here, in the evening, you can enjoy your cake or ice-cream and if you are lucky, you can hear the sweet musical notes of the Argostoli Band. Don't forget to walk along the Lithostroto (Cobbled Road), the main street of the city. Here, you can do your shopping at different stores. You can see the church of Saint Spyridon, and the clock tower of Campana Square, where the Kefalonians buried the Libro d' Oro in 1797, upon the arrival of the French republicans.

You can visit the Argostoli Archaeological Museum and admire the archaeological finds of the Mycenean period, ancient gold coins, copper swords, sculptures and ceramic.

Something that will be unforgettable to you is the Folklore Museum, located on the ground floor of the Corgialenian Library. Here, you will be transported to another age, vanished with the passage of time. You can admire the superb lace, the linen with family monogram, the living room with the dance gowns, personal things, furniture, silver sets, the Kefalonian bedroom, agricultural implements etc.

Then, you can go up to the imposing Library consisting of 50,000 books and you may ask to see the Icon collection of P. Harocopos, and the wood carved icon screen of Sarin.

A little further on from the Library you come to the <<Kefalos>> Theatre, built at the site of the old theatre before the earthquake. It is an excellent building, and one of the best theatres in Greece.

Following the large palm tree lined street, you reach the building of the Argostoli Music Band School, and little further down you can see one of the very few mansions that survived the great 1953 earthquake. It is the home of Mr. Marinos Cosmetatos that preserves even today, the furniture and decoration of an authentic mansion.

Continuing your way, a distance of about one kilometer from Argostoli, you come to Katavothres (Swallow Holes), an inexplicable geological phenomenon. The sea water seeps into the ground and vanishes. Scientists have discovered, by throwing paint into the water, that it ends up in Melissani Lake at Karavomylos, about two kilometers from Sami.

You can swim at Fanari, the beautiful shallow beach that starts from Katavothres and ends at the picturesque Lighthouse of Saint Theodore. Fanari is one of the five works built by the British Governor Napier. It is a small round building flanked by white Dorian style columns. Here, you can enjoy one of the most enchanting sunsets.

Going a little further up and left, you find the Monument of the Italians, dedicated to the memory of the Acqui Division, whose soldiers and officers were executed by the Germans on the island (about 7,000 Italians). The panoramic view you can see makes you forget that sad event.

The tour of Lassi leads you now to the shores of the area. First you meet Kalamia, Gradakia, and Paliostafida, to end up at the marvelous beach of Makrys-Yalos, with its golden sand and very clean water, one of the finest on the island. A rock separates it from the organized beach of Platy-Yalos with tents, showers, a restaurant etc. this beach has the distinction of winning the <<Blue Flag>> from the European Union. For those who prefer a tranquil environment there is the beach of Tourkopodaro across from there.

GEOGRAPHY

The capital of the Cephallonia prefecture is Argostoli. The population has reached nearly 45,000. It used to be the fastest-growing part of Greece, with a growth rate of 35% to 40% in 10 years and reaching 30,000 in the 1990s. The size of the island is around 800 kmē (300 sq miles), and the present population density is 55 people per kmē (140 per sq mile). Argostoli is home to one-third of the island's habitants. Lixouri is the second major city. The two cities account for almost two-thirds of the prefecture's population.

In ancient times, before it was named Cephallonia, only around 100 to 300 people lived there. When Cephallonia was founded in ancient times, the population had trebled to around 500–1,000 people. The population steadily grew until the population reached 10,000 in the mid-20th century. The number topped 20,000 in the 1970s.

The island is covered by dense vegetation and includes plenty of natural beauty including beaches, many of them inaccessible from land, and spectacular caves. Mirtos, the most famous of these beaches, is a major tourist attraction, and has ranked fifth worldwide for its scenic view.

Its tallest mountain is Mount Ainos or Ainos with an elevation of 1628m (almost the same elevation as Denver, Colorado in North America). To the west-northwest is the Paliki mountains where Lixouri is located other mountains include Gerania.

There are five harbours and ports in the prefecture, four main harbours on the island, Sami or Same, and a major port with links to Patras and Ithaca. Poros, in the south, has ferry routes to Kyllini. Argostoli, in the west, is the largest port, carrying local boats around, and ferries to Zante and occasionally to Lixouri. Vasiliki, in the north, has links to Lefkas and Ithaca. There is room for around 100 small boats in Argostoli, with the port stretching 1 kilometre around the estuary. Lixouri is situated 4km across the bay from Argostoli, on the Lixori peninsular. There is a road connection to the rest of the island; however, driving from Lixouri to Argostoli involves a 30 km detour.

There is one airport, Argostoli Airport, with a runway of around 1 km. The airport is about 10 km south of Argostoli. Almost every scheduled flight is an Olympic plane. The planes mainly fly to Athens; however, there is an Ionian Island Hopper service 3 times a week calling at Kefallinia, Zante and Lefkas. In summer the airport handles a lot of charter flights from all over Europe.