Explore Argostoli #2
Duration: 2 Hours
Route: Katavothres – Lighthouse of Saint Theodore – Italian Monument – Lassi – Kourkoumelata – Lakithra – Mazarakata Tombs – St. Andreas Monastery – St. Georges Castle.
The route of approximately two hours duration starts from Katavothres (the sinks) where seawater enters cracks near the shore and disappears following an underground route across the whole island. Then moving towards the Lighthouse of Saint Theodore where two centuries ago, helped ships approaching the shore, to avoid the rocks.
Your tour continues at the monument of the Italians over the pine-tree covered “round of Lassi”. On top of the hill - a monument of modern history of Kefalonia - was created in honor of the thousands of Italians who have fallen under the fire of the Germans refusing to hand over their weapons to them.
The route continues in the popular area of Lassi, which stands out for its natural beauty, nightlife and tourist infrastructure that meet every requirement - at that area the well organized beaches of Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos are located.
Driving uphill towards the village of Kourkoumelata we enjoy the panoramic view from the "High Class Area of Kefalonia!" In this village anyone can gaze at the beauty of the houses! The village features beautiful, well maintained and manicured buildings. A special feature of the village is the variety of designs in the construction of houses, which are not located by the road, but follow rules of great urban planning.
Continuing for Lakirtha, where philhellene poet Lord Byron inspired his poems during his stay on the island in 1823, from the location called "Kallithea" the visitor is overlooking the airport, the island of Zeus with the chapel of Our Lady of Diotissa, and the island of Zakynthos.
Heading towards “Peratata”, we will be visiting the Monastery of St. Andrew. The monastery was founded in the Byzantine era. Within the monastery the Ecclesiastical Museum is located and it is open to public. The nuns involved in weaving, iconography, craftsmanship as well as agricultural crops and gardens. The monastery also operates the maintenance workshop of portable icons.
Our next destination is the Mazarakata Tombs which were found in the early 20th century. It is the largest cemetery in the Mycenaean period whose ruins testify the time Mycenaean culture that flourished in this region. The cemetery is of great importance as it was found intact.
Our final destination is the Castle of St. George, a remarkable Venetian castle with subsequent interventions mainly Venetian of 16th century. View to Argostoli and Livatho is stunning.
