Argostoli became the capital of Cefalonia in 1759. With its 10,000 inhabitants it is not a very large city. It is situated on the slopes above a serene sea inlet called Koutavos lagoon. However a devastating earthquake struck in 1953 and the town was almost entirely destroyed. That is the reason why the buildings here are new.
Looking at the map of Cefalonia we can with a bit of fantasy see its shape as a monster head and it is said that the name of the island is derived from Greek word cephalus – head. With its area of 786 sq km it is the largest of Ionian Islands.
The statue of Panagis Vallianos (1814-1902) was created by one of the most important Greek artists – sculptor George Bonanos from Lixouri
Great personality Panagis Vallianos (1814-1902) was born on this island of Cefalonia into a poor family with six children. Due to this fact he never went to school. However with two of his brothers they became successful merchants in London amassing great fortune as their company was one of the largest at the time. He became an important benefactor. Only later in life he learned basic reading and writing. It is amazing that the National Library of Greece owes its existence to this man who was practically illiterate! 🙂 The square where the statue is erected is named after him. The square is the heart and meeting point in Argostoli, surrounded by cafes, tavernas and shops.
Greek-orthodox church next to the De Bosset Bridge – beautifully decorated iconostasis in the interiorView from De Bosset Bridge. Yellow Greek-orthodox church to the rightKolona – monument from 1813 had and inscription “To the glory of the British Empire” in English, Greek, Italian and Latin but the plague disappeared in 1865Loggerhead turtle. Really big – at least one meter – and old. Parasitic organisms are seen on its back. This oceanic turtle lives in the Mediterranean, too. Despite of the fact that they are living mostly in salt sea water they come here, to Koutavos lagoon, to breed, somewhere from Africa. Notice the white claws on its front flippersThis Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) came close to us as it is early morning and fishermen just brought their catch ashore and she knows she is getting something to munch. I am amazed how big and colourful this one is, too, at least one meter long. They are omnivorous feeding mostly on bottom dwelling invertebratesFreshly renovated promenade in the sea inletRizospaston Avenue features palm trees which are as old as 60-70 years. Together with blossoming oleander trees it is very impressiveMonument to the Rizospastes – a group of Greeks who revolted against the British rule and fought for the unification of the island of Cefalonia with Greece. They suceeded in 1864 when Cefalonia became a part of GreeceHow romantic! This looks like a temple and in fact it is a lihthouse. The lighthouse of Saint Theodoroi from 1960 is a reconstruction of the original 1828 lighthouse which was constructed by the British administrator Charles Napier. However it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1953. It is situated on a man made peninsula and with its a circular shape with 20 columns it really looks like a Doric style temple
