|
AN
INTRODUCTION TO KEFALONIA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kefalonia has been constantly visited
since antiquity, used initially as the first port of call by voyagers on
route to Italy from southern Greece, also a hide away and home to many
pirates. Before becoming the rare jewel in the crowns of many of its
conquerors. Kefalonia
is chronicled in history as being one of the most formidable islands in
all of Greece in terms of its remarkable contrasts, with a lack of
arable vegetation, despite being able to grow huge quantities of grapes
that in turn were dried and sold as raisins, known as 'black
gold' because of the
great wealth they brought. |
|
|
The
densely wooded slopes of the immense mountain range were once completely
covered in a unique fir tree, prior to being radically stripped, firstly
to supply the shipyards of ancient Greece and Venice, then secondly by
numerous raging fires. |
|
|
|
|
|
Kefalonia
still invites today's visitor to explore with both many expected and
unexpected temptations. Its rocky geological structure accompanied by
impressive steep limestone cliffs which plunge precariously into the
sea, hidden valleys and plateaus, the endless gulfs and boundless
shoreline that varies from rich red sand to white shingle and
multicoloured pebbles, all encircled by the most amazing aquamarine and
turquoise sea. Yet Kefalonia has been fought over ever
since the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures first established settlements
during the Bronze age. It formed part of, or perhaps even was, the
legendary kingdom of Odysseus. It still has remains of four ancient
citadels, including many interesting archaeological sites which have
helped in piecing together the history of these once powerful city
states that grew rich from trade until the Romans invaded in the second
century bc. Unfortunately
a lot of archeological work has been restricted by relentless seismic
activity, which has reduced most of the island's remaining relics to
little more than heaps of rubble. The islanders have long been known for their effrontery and
aptitude, as well as their idiosyncratic nature together with being
renowned all over the world for their hospitality. Kefalonians past and
present have travelled and the island has generated many great warriors,
sea captains, poets, musicians and politicians. Even in more modern
momentous times fate has struck additional powerful blows at the island
and its inhabitants, with unnecessary wars not only against enemies but
correspondingly against fellow countrymen. The resilience of the people
shone through after the Second World War, which was a traumatic time.
Firstly Kefalonia was invaded by Mussolini's
Italian forces, then unfavourably subjected to even more hardship by the
tyrannical German troops, only to be hit hard again nine years later
with a most bitter blow to the land itself. August
1953 brought a series of earthquakes which scarred the land and its
people, destroying an entire culture in a matter of seconds. However,
life in Kefalonia
is now back to normal, in recent decades it has followed the course of
other Greek islands as tourism along with Greece's entry into the EEC
have given its citizens a new found wealth. Alas, traces of Italian and
Georgian style buildings which once graced the towns now only exist in
old photographs. Little remains of Kefalonia's bygone architectural
grandeur today, after the catastrophe of the 1953earthquakes which were
responsible for the loss of |
|
|
many
valuable treasures, the beautiful theatre of 'Kefalos'
in Argostoli, the 'Marketo' in
Lixouri, mansions and other buildings. The churches and monasteries with
their excellent wall paintings, icons and altar screens of unique
beauty, value and interest were leveled to the ground, the remains were
bulldozed and renovation was impossible. |
|
|
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian
islands which are sometime referred to as the Seven Islands or 'Eptanissa',
and is the sixth largest island in Greece. It is very mountainous
its tallest peak is Mount Ainos, the highest in the Ionian, whose
pinnacle is Megas Soros 1,628m. high. The island's vegetation is
abundant due to its moderate climate and heavy rainfall in the winter
months. Kefalonia has no flowing rivers or streams, but has opulent supplies of fresh
spring water and underground reservoirs. The island is covered in geological phenomena, the most spectacular
being the beautiful cave of Melissani Lake, and nearby Drogarati cave
which is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites and the strangest
spectacle is the Katavothres fissures just outside of the capital
Argostoli. The second largest town is Lixouri situated on the Paliki
peninsula and can be reached via a short ferry ride or the spectacular
drive around the gulf giving you splendid views of the headland. The
island's southern coast provides a home ground to the famous
Caretta-Caretta loggerhead turtle and in the caves that abound on the
northern coastline reside the Monachus-Monachus Mediterranean monk seal,
whilst the eastern slopes of Mount Ainos are home to the last remaining
wild horses of Kefalonia. |
|
