Kefalonia -The Museums of Argostoli
Are you thinking of a holiday in the Greek Islands? Have you been wondering about what sort of accommodation you'd like? Think for a moment about your options: hotel, resort, villa! They all have advantages, But one of the great extras a villa offers is more privacy. Staying in a villa is like having your own cottage in an exotic tourist destination. You have all the modern conveniences, usually a great view, and perhaps even a swimming pool all to yourself. For anyone looking for a Greek island with luxury villas, Kefalonia is an excellent vacation destination.
Off the Beaten Track
Although the Greek Islands are generally well known for luxury villas, Kefalonia (also called Cephallonia and Kefallinia) is special because it is somewhat off the beaten track. It is the largest of the Ionian Island group of mainland Greece's west coast, but it is not heavily populated. Nor has it been overdeveloped. That means visitors rarely encounter crowds. The principal community is the very attractive town of Argostoli. For an island town of just over 9,000 people, Argostoli has an impressive number of museums. The Archeological Museum at the corner of Valianou and R. Vergoti has recently been renovated. Its exhibits are well labelled in English. The three large rooms display a wide range of artefacts that have been excavated on the island: coins, pottery, jewellery, glassware and domestic items that date as far back as the 15th century BC. There are also some prehistoric tools. There are a few architectural relics, but one of the best displays is from the Tholos tomb at Tzanata. It includes grave stelae and a variety of funerary relics. Of particular interest is a lusty figure of the god Pan found in a cave shrine. This museum has an interesting photo gallery that includes pictures of excavations and of the destruction caused by a catastrophic earthquake in 1953.
Behind the town's Municipal Theatre is the Korgialenio History and Folklore Museum. Here you will find a rich collection depicting island life and culture over the centuries. Furniture, clothing and other items are displayed in settings representing such diverse themes as a peasant family's kitchen and a rich family's drawing room. A room representing a chapel contains icons, carved marble stelae, and a tomb. Another fascinating museum is the old mansion that houses the Focas-Cosmetatos Foundation. This was founded by two aristocratic families, and displays clothing, furnishing and art. There is a Botanical Garden adjacent to the house.
Gardens, Sea Mills and a Lighthouse
Before visitors head back to their luxury villas, Kefalonia's main town has a few other interesting attractions for them. The Napier Gardens have delightful stone paths you can stroll, and picnic tables in the shade of pine trees where you can take a break and have a snack. The gardens are named after Charles Napier, who was governor from 1822 to 1830. Lord Byron visited here on his way to Messolongi, where he died. Just outside Argostoli are the Katovothres sea mills, a geological oddity in which seawater disappears into sinkholes, and seeps under mountains to reappear in caves and springs 20 kilometers away. The mills are now disused, but were once harnessed to produce electricity. The old waterwheel can still be seen. Not far away is the Ayios Theodoros Lighthouse. It was originally built in 1820, and then re-built in the mid-19th century after being damaged by an earthquake. Two nearby coves are pretty to look at, but not very good for swimming.
Off the Beaten Track
Although the Greek Islands are generally well known for luxury villas, Kefalonia (also called Cephallonia and Kefallinia) is special because it is somewhat off the beaten track. It is the largest of the Ionian Island group of mainland Greece's west coast, but it is not heavily populated. Nor has it been overdeveloped. That means visitors rarely encounter crowds. The principal community is the very attractive town of Argostoli. For an island town of just over 9,000 people, Argostoli has an impressive number of museums. The Archeological Museum at the corner of Valianou and R. Vergoti has recently been renovated. Its exhibits are well labelled in English. The three large rooms display a wide range of artefacts that have been excavated on the island: coins, pottery, jewellery, glassware and domestic items that date as far back as the 15th century BC. There are also some prehistoric tools. There are a few architectural relics, but one of the best displays is from the Tholos tomb at Tzanata. It includes grave stelae and a variety of funerary relics. Of particular interest is a lusty figure of the god Pan found in a cave shrine. This museum has an interesting photo gallery that includes pictures of excavations and of the destruction caused by a catastrophic earthquake in 1953.
Behind the town's Municipal Theatre is the Korgialenio History and Folklore Museum. Here you will find a rich collection depicting island life and culture over the centuries. Furniture, clothing and other items are displayed in settings representing such diverse themes as a peasant family's kitchen and a rich family's drawing room. A room representing a chapel contains icons, carved marble stelae, and a tomb. Another fascinating museum is the old mansion that houses the Focas-Cosmetatos Foundation. This was founded by two aristocratic families, and displays clothing, furnishing and art. There is a Botanical Garden adjacent to the house.
Gardens, Sea Mills and a Lighthouse
Before visitors head back to their luxury villas, Kefalonia's main town has a few other interesting attractions for them. The Napier Gardens have delightful stone paths you can stroll, and picnic tables in the shade of pine trees where you can take a break and have a snack. The gardens are named after Charles Napier, who was governor from 1822 to 1830. Lord Byron visited here on his way to Messolongi, where he died. Just outside Argostoli are the Katovothres sea mills, a geological oddity in which seawater disappears into sinkholes, and seeps under mountains to reappear in caves and springs 20 kilometers away. The mills are now disused, but were once harnessed to produce electricity. The old waterwheel can still be seen. Not far away is the Ayios Theodoros Lighthouse. It was originally built in 1820, and then re-built in the mid-19th century after being damaged by an earthquake. Two nearby coves are pretty to look at, but not very good for swimming.
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