AGIOS GEORGIOS CASTLE
The medieval castle of Agios Georgios is situated near the village of Peratata, on a 320 m. high hill. The castle was built in the 13th century to fortify the island’s old capital which was housed here until 1757 AD. The castle owes its name to the large church of Agios Georgios, which is situated in the region and is celebrated glamorously. The castle, along with the island, fell in succession into the hands of the Byzantines, the Franks, the Turks and
AGIOS GERASIMOS MONASTERY
Agios Gerasimos is the patron saint of the island. On its feast day, the monastery is swarming with pilgrims. According to tradition, he was born in Trikala of Korinthia and was a member of the famous Notaras family. He became a monk and spent twelve years in the Holy Land and five years in Zakynthos. He came to Kefalonia in 1560 and stayed in the cave of the same name, south of Argostoli.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
In the chambers of the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli, one can admire findings during excavations on the island. Some of the exhibits are the findings from the Mycenean Tumbs of Mazarakata and Metaxata, sculpts, pots from the prehistoric and the post-mycenean era, tombstones, coins, seals, small objects and copper weapons.
ASSOS CASTLE
The castle (Kastro) of Assos, the focal point of Assos’s peninsula, was built by the Venetians in the late 16th century in order to protect the city from pirate raids. Today, one can still admire part of the walls and the arched entrance gate. In the Castle, one can see the ruins of the Venetian High Commissioner’s house, the barracks and the church of Agios Markos.
DROGORATI CAVE
Το σπήλαιο της Δρογκαράτης βρίσκετε μερικά χιλιόμετρα έξω απο το λιμάνι της Σάμης. Έχει 45 μέτρα πλάτος, 21 μέτρα βάθος, 9 μέτρα ύψος και χωρίζετε σε δύο μέρη. Το πρώτο μέρος, η οροφή του σπηλαίου, κατέρευσε απο σεισμό και απο αυτήν μπορείτε να δείτε μόνο κάποιους σταλακτίτες. Το δεύτερο μέρος δηλαδή το κυρίως σπήλαιο είναι προσβάσιμο για τους επισκέπτες.
Επίσης στον κυρίως χώρο του σπηλαίου γίνονται πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις, καθώς διαθέτει μοναδική ακουστική εξού και ο χαρακτηρισμός του ώς “Θέατρο Αποθέωσης”. Οι επίσημοί κάθονται στο “Βασιλικό Θεωρείο” το οποίο προσφέρει μοναδική θέα απο την κορυφή του σπηλαίου και οι μουσικοί κάθονται στην αντίθετη πλευρα σε μία ειδικά διαμορφωμένη εξέδρα καταμήκος των βράχων. Το σπήλαιο μπορεί να φιλοξενήσει κοινό 500 ατόμων.
Το τεχνιτός φωτισμός σε συνδιασμό με την αντανάκλαση των σταλακτιτών δημιουργουν ένα μοναδικό οπτικό υπερθέαμα.
IAKOVATIOS LIBRARY
Iakovatios Library is situated in Lixouri, housed in the beautiful mansion of Iakovati after whom it was named. The majority of the chambers’ walls are beautifully decorated, depicting the family’s previous glamour. Among the 20,000 volumes in the Library, there are 7,000 volumes from the valuable archives of the Iakovati family and 5,000 volumes which belonged to the Professor of Theology, Mr. Alivizatos.
KARAVOMILOS
The area of Karavomilos is situated northwest of Sami. After an investigation conducted by Yannis Petrohilos and, in 1963, from the Austrian scientists Zolt and Maurin, it was discovered that the waters, which one loses track of in Katavothres, flow into the village of Karavomilos by underground rivers every 15 days. Thus, a small salt-water lake has been created here. This unique phenomenon attracts many tourists to the area.
KORGIALENIOS LIBRARY
The Korgialenios library is housed in the museum of the same name, in Argostoli. It was founded in 1924 with money donated from Marinos Korgialenios, after whom the library was named. Although it suffered from the earthquake of 1953, the library was restored. Today, it is open to the public. It holds 46,000 volumes and many significant cultural events take place here every year.
MYCENEAN TOMBS – MAZARAKATA
Significant tombs that testify the existence of an important Mycenean settlement. The findings from the excavations include Mycenean art jewelry.
KOUNOPETRA
Kounopetra is situated 9 km south of Lixouri. The location’s visitor comes across a very significant geological phenomenon. To be more specific, from the sea emerges a huge rock which, before the earthquake in 1953, used to move constantly and rhythmically. After the earthquake the rock’s base was relocated and the rock stabilized to its current place. Tradition claims that English ships tied Kounopetra with thick ropes and chains and attempted unsuccessfully to remove it.
MELISSANI CAVE
The cave of Melissani, outside Sami, is one of the most significant sights on the island. As the excavations of 1963 have shown, it has taken its name from the nymph Melissanthi. These excavations brought to light aspects of the nymph, a statuette, and an earthen tray with a depiction of Pan. In 1951, an ancient lamp, which is now on display in the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli, was also found there.
ROMAN VILLA – SKALA
well preserved mosaics and designs, dating to the 3rd century AD, in the ruins of a roman villa discovered in excavations carried out in the area of Skala.
MYRTOS
Undisputably,one of the most beautiful beaches in greece and one of the world’s best. The white shore meets the blue of the sea which is present in every possible shade. The view from the stopover on the road high above Myrtos, is simply unmatched.
TZANNATA-VAULTED TOMB
The excavation in this area brought to the surface the largest vaulted tomb ever found in western Greece. The unique findings, which include jewelry and a seal, prove that the existence of a significant Mycenean center
MYRTOS BEACH
One of Europe’s most charming beaches is located on the way to Fiscardo. It is worldwide recognized as one of the 10 most captivating beaches in the world and indeed it is the most photographed one. It’s not surprising that every year Myrtos is voted by visitors as the best beach in Greece. At the point where the seashore starts, white pebbles create exceptional hues of blue and turquoise.
MAKRYS-PLATYS GIALOS
Two of the most beautiful and frequented beaches are located at a short distance from Argostoli: Makris and Platis Gialos. Both beaches are amongst locals’ and tourists’ favorites, since they are noted for their light blue waters and the fine sand.
Lithero
Long Sandy beach next to Lourdas beach
Trapezaki
Long Sandy beach next to Lourdas beach