INTERESTING PLACES TO SEE

 ST GERASIMOS

St Gerasimos is the Patron saint of the island and his mummified body is kept in its casket at the monastery bearing the same name. the old monastery is built over the cave where St Gerasimos lived as a hermit and can be reached by climbing down a ladder into the cavern below.
MAZARAKATA TOMBS

These Mycenaean  tombs are well worth a visit.  It is very easy to miss them but they are not far from the main Argostoli road- just below St Georges castle on the hill, close to the centre of Travliata.

MOUNT AINOS

Mount Ainos is the largest mountain on Kefalonia and the third highest mountain in Greece. Between Argostoli and Sami its highest peak (megalos Soros) is 1626 metres above sea level and stretches as far as the outlying villages of Poros in the South. The forest on mount Ainos was declared a National Park in 1962. There is an abundance of flora and fauna- great for nature lovers and walkers,  but the road is rough and approximately 6 kms long. On the highest peak - just when you could do with finding a place for refreshments - all you will see are Radio and Television towers as well as a radar base for the NATO defence forces.  If you are lucky you may also spot the last few remaining wild horses living on the south eastern slopes. However, the views of the island are amazing and make everything else worthwhile.

FORTRESS OF ST GEORGIOS

The castle was first fortified in Byzantine times, but its current form dates back to the 16th century. After the Venetians conquered the Turks, the Castle became the capital of their new colony. At the peak of Venetian power, 15,000 people lived in the fortress and its surrounding houses. Within up to 82 ft high and 20 ft thick walls, 8000 people found shelter whenever pirates or hostile forces attacked. It was the capital of the island until 1757.

DROGARATI CAVE

A natural phenomenon, over 150 million tears old is the amazing cave of Drogarati   3km from Sami. It has steps leading down in to the depths of the earth with a very impressive path, comfortable to walk on, has been hammered out between the huge stalactites and stalagmites. Because of its fantastic acoustics, Drogarati is used for concerts in the summer months.

MELISSANI LAKE

The underground lake of Melissani is worth a visit solely for its natural beauty and crystal clear water. Most of the roof of the cave collapsed during the earthquake of 1953. The rocks at the bottom of the lake cause the water to shimmer in all shades of green and blue. Little boats take you into the recesses of the cave. Hanging from the walls are thousands year old stalactites. In ancient times the cave was used as a place of worship of the God Pan and the nymph Melissan.

ST ANDREAS

This  former Byzantine convent was almost completely destroyed  by the earthquake of 1953. The church belonging to the convent was restored to be used as a museum. During the earthquake , plaster fell from the church walls and revealed frescoes from the 16th century. You can also see precious vestments and icons in the museum. the most valuable treasure of the church is a relic- in a glass case lies the sole of St Andrea's right foot.

KOURKOUMELATA / METAXATA

Kourkoumelata is one of prettiest villages on the island. After the earthquake of 1953 the then completely destroyed village was rebuilt by the shipowner Giorgos Vergotis. On the way back to Argostoli you pass through the village of Metaxata where in 1823 the English poet Lord Byron took residence for a few months. In his honour his bust was erected in front of his former house.

MONASTERIES OF KEFALONIA

The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, which houses the remains of the Saint, near the village of Blahata, in the valley of Omalon.
The Monastery of Panagia of Thematon , near the village of Agia Efthimia.
The Monastery of Panagia Kekrionos, of Panagia Koronatou and of Kipouria, near the village of Lixouri.
The Monastery of Panagia of Atrou, the oldest of the island.
The Monastery of Panagia of Agrilion, near the village of Sami.
The Monastery of Agios Andreas, with the remains of the Saint, near the village of Svoronata.
The Monastery of Panagia of Platiteras, near the village of Fiscardo. The Venetian Castle, in the village of Assos.
The Graves of Mycenaean Period, in the village of Lixouri.
The Collection of Ancient Ceramics and post Byzantine icons, in the village of Lissouri.
The Remains of the Ancient City Sami, in the area of today’s town of Sami.
The Folk Museum and the Collection of Icons, in the public library of the capital. 
The Archeological Museum of the capital Argostoli, with findings of all the historical period of the island.