Cephalonia Kefalloniá (Kefaloniá), Kefallinía
Chief town: Argostóli
Kefalloniá (or Kefallinía; Italian Cefalonia), the largest of the Ionian Islands, is an island of bare limestone hills rising to 1,628m/5,341ft in Mt Aínos and slashed by fertile valleys with luxuriant subtropical vegetation. It is generally accepted as being the Homeric island of Same (but for Wilhelm Dörpfeld's divergent view). The island's main sources of income are agriculture and the tourist trade.
Kefalloniá (or Kefallinía; Italian Cefalonia), the largest of the Ionian Islands, is an island of bare limestone hills rising to 1,628m/5,341ft in Mt Aínos and slashed by fertile valleys with luxuriant subtropical vegetation. It is generally accepted as being the Homeric island of Same (but for Wilhelm Dörpfeld's divergent view). The island's main sources of income are agriculture and the tourist trade.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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In the "Odyssey" the two islands of Same and Doulichion are described as belonging to the kingdom of Ithaca, but Odysseus's subjects are also called Cephallenians.
In the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. the island, like Corfu, was under the influence of Corinth; then in 456 B.C. Tolmides compelled it to submit to Athens. At that time there were four city states on Kephallenia - Kranioi, Pale, Pronnoi and Same - which Thucydides refers to as a tetrapolis. The cities were members of the Aeolian League, and Cephallenian vessels fought against Philip V of Macedon (220-217 B.C.). They fought, too, against the Romans, but eventually the islands fell into the power of Rome. Thereafter Kephallenia shared the destinies of the other Ionian Islands.
In the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. the island, like Corfu, was under the influence of Corinth; then in 456 B.C. Tolmides compelled it to submit to Athens. At that time there were four city states on Kephallenia - Kranioi, Pale, Pronnoi and Same - which Thucydides refers to as a tetrapolis. The cities were members of the Aeolian League, and Cephallenian vessels fought against Philip V of Macedon (220-217 B.C.). They fought, too, against the Romans, but eventually the islands fell into the power of Rome. Thereafter Kephallenia shared the destinies of the other Ionian Islands.
Related Attractions
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Ayia Effimia, Greece
Near the village of Ayía Effimía on the Erisso peninsula, on the north side of the Gulf of Sámi, can be seen remains of the walls of ancient Same.
Fiskardo, Greece
At the northeastern tip of the island of Kefalloniá lies the little port of Fiskárdo (ancient Panormos), named after the Norman leader Robert Guiscard, who died here in 1085. Some of the old houses in the village have been converted for use as holiday homes.
Fiskárdo lies opposite and very close to Ithaca. It is surrounded by a thick cypress glade.
Fiskárdo lies opposite and very close to Ithaca. It is surrounded by a thick cypress glade.
Kastro - St George's Castle, Greece
Nine km/6mi southeast of Argostóli, at the village of Kástro (once the island's flourishing chief town), stands the 13th century castle of Áyios Yeóryios (alt. 320m/1,050ft; view). The 17th century monastery of Áyios Andreas has fine frescoes (12th century) and icons. The site of ancient Kephallenia is believed to have been in this area. To the south, at the foot of Mt Áyios Yeóryios, extends the fertile upland region of Liváto. Byron stayed at Metaxáta in 1823. In the neighborhood are three Mycenaean rock-cut tombs.
Katelios, Greece
Katélios, in southeastern Kefallonia are some fantastic beaches. Some Roman ruins were also discovered in this area.
Lixouri, Greece
Northwest of Argostóli, on the Palikí peninsula on the far side of the gulf, is the port of Lixoúri, which is connected with Argostóli by ferry and by road. North of the town are scanty remains of ancient Pale.
Lixouri is Kefalloniá's second largest town. It has a 19th century mansion-museum and vestiges of the ancient city of Pale (Pali).
The beaches to the south of the town are among the best on the island.
Lixouri is Kefalloniá's second largest town. It has a 19th century mansion-museum and vestiges of the ancient city of Pale (Pali).
The beaches to the south of the town are among the best on the island.
