Kefalonia & Ithaca Federation of lodgings

	ΜThe Castle of Saint George: Military and administrative area of the island up to 1757, built on the well-fortified top of the highest hill in the region (320m). The outside walls we can see today- from which the view is panoramic- were constructed between 1504 and 1534 by the Venetian engineer Nicholas Tsimaras. He rebuilt the castle walls which had been destroyed during a recent siege of the then Turkish-occupied fortress by the Spanish-Venetian forces. The Castle of Saint George has a long history, the site having been used as a fortress since ancient times. The area inside the walls (16.000 sq m) includes ruins of public buildings, on which restoration work has recently been carried out, the church of Saint Nicholas, the internal part of three bastions and many other ruins.

	Mazarakata: The excavations of the archaeologist Kavvadias in the first decade of the 20th century, uncovered vaulted mass graves of the late Mycenean period, with 84 chamber tombs, part of which had been desecrated. Prior to that, De Bosset had excavated the site of "Maza-karata" (1810-1812) and the 55 finds which came to light were donated by him to a museum in his birthplace, Neauchatel.
The Ecclesiastical Byzantine Museum: Located in the grounds of the Monastery of Saint Andreas Milapidia. The museum houses rare exhibits, such as vestments, wood carvings, wall paintings, embroideries and icons from the 13th to the 19th century. The Archaeological Museum in Argostoli boasts a wealth of artefacts recovered from tombs in the region of Livatho. Also, the Korgialenios Library in Argostoli houses the private collection of paintings and other possessions of Fragiskos and Stephanos Vallianos. The Monastery of Saint Andreas Milapidia: This ancient Monastery was rebuilt in 1579 by Neofitos Romanos and Gasparos Migardos. There was a “girls' boarding school” on the site from 1830 to 1835, founded by a Mr. and Mrs. Dixon. The new church of Saint Andreas was rebuilt thanks to donations from benefactors Mazarakis and Basias. In the Monastery there are relics of Saint Andreas and the Ecclesiastical Byzantine Museum can be found in the grounds. The Monastery of Estavromenos: In 1602 the monastery was given by the Balsamakis family to their brother, a monk, to set up a commune. Today, the original icon is housed in the Evaggelistria church in Pessada, whilst the only existing icon of the Virgin Mary Diotissa (The Madonna of Vlaherna) can be found in the Monastery of Estavromenos. The Monastery of Sissia: The 1953 earthquake completely destroyed the original monastery, which according to tradition, was founded in the 13th century by Saint Francis of Assisi. Both Orthodox and Catholic masses are said separately at the monastery today. The icon of the Virgin Mary from the Monastery “The Madonna of Akathistos” was painted in 1700 by the Icon-painter Stephanos Tzagarolas.
	Dias island: The Church of the Virgin Mary Diotissa or Virgin Mary of Vlaherna. The Island of Dias can be reached by boat from Pessada, and lies only half a mile from the shore. One hundred steps lead up to the church, which is 24 m above sea-level and was built on the ruins of the Temple of Zeus (Dias). The church hosts a that celebration every year on July 2nd.
The Church of the Evaggelistria, Castro: Located on the same hill as the Castle of St George, the Church of the Evggelistria is famous for its impressive bell tower. In Kourkoumelata you can see a grand neo-classical building, which acts as a museum and is also "The George and Mary Vergoti Cultural Centre:. This is home to several valuable exhibits, as well as various cultural events for which the region is well-known. Right next door is the local stadium where both residents and visitors can take exercise.

	BEACHES Avithos: Considered as the best beach in Kato Livatho, it is a sandy beach with several good facilities and shallow, crystal-clear waters and suitable for surfing.
Saint Pelagia: A small, sheltered harbour between Ai Helis beach and Ammes beach, with mooring for fishing boats and yachts. This particular area has connections with the Greek War of Independence, since boats packed with Kefalonian volunteers sailed from the harbour to the Peloponnese. Saint Thomas: A rocky prompntory and sandy beach below the village of Karavados. Ai-Helis (Saint Achilleos): A small, picturesque and well-appointed beach near Svoronata, with good facilities,unusual "black" sand and delightful walks. Ammes: A sandy beach near the village of Svoronata, with good facilities and crystal-clear waters. Klimatisia: A small, sandy beach below the picturesque village of Spartia, ideal for swimming and relaxing. Lithero: A narrow road a short distance from Lourdas leads to a peaceful beach where the visitor can enjoy a quiet spot for swimming and sunbathing. Lourdas: A long beach with both sand and shingle, a stone's throw from vegetable gardens, olive and orange groves and fringed with tropical plants. Paliolinos: Drive through the villages Korianna and Klismata to discover this small beach at the end of the road. Trapezaki: Before going down to the long sandy beach, don't forget to visit the church of the Virgin Mary on the pine-tree-covered hill, where an old silver icon is housed.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS OF LIvATHO Vlahata: The village is located at the foot of Mount Ainos and has beautiful views. Admire the village church, Saint Marina, which was not destroyed by the 1953 earthquake. Dorizata: A small, quiet village, with lush vegetation. The main road throough the village was built during the period when the island was governed by the British and links Krania with the villages of Ano Livatho. The village was the birthplace of the distinguished archbishop Gerasimos III (Dorizas). Kalligata: In the church of the Holly Virgin Mary, built in the 18th century, you can admire the splendid hand-carved wooden icon-screen in the baroque style of 1804 and the impressive bell-tower. The village was the birthplace of the bishop of Kefalonia, and later of Athens, Germanos Kalligas, and eminent academic Pavlos Kalligas. Karavados: A small picturesque “Captains' village”, with courtyards full of flowers, the church of Saints Konstantinos and Eleni, which has the only solid marble icon-screen on the island. Leaving the village on your way down to the beach of Saint Thomas, don't forget to stop at the plane trees and drink the cool spring water. Keramies: It is possible that the name comes from the old pottery that used to be there. The village is also home to the remarkable Russian-style church of Saint Vasilios. The famous ship-owning families of Vallianos and Lykiardopoulos come from the village. Kourkoumelata: A real gem of a village, Kourkoumelata is filled with beautiful buildings, laid out along modern roads, with stylish gardens. An idyllic environment, Kourkoumelata has been called the most beautiful village in the Balkans. The original village having been totally destroyed in the 1953 earthquakes, it was rebuilt with donations from the ship-owner, George Vergoti, who gave the new houses to landowners free of charge. Lakithra: Lord Byron sat in the place that today bears his name (Byron's Rock) and, gazing at the Ionian sea, composed poetry. During excavations near the church of Saint Nicholas, four post-Mycenean chamber tombs were discovered. Lourdata: a village full of gardens and cottages, lying about half a kilometre from the enchanting beach of Lourdas. Its abundant springs, vegetable gardens and groves of trees make the beach unique in Greece. You must visit the church of Agia Paraskevi (Saint Friday), a short distance from the square, with tits rare religious paintings from the 14th century. Metaxata: For many years the village was the headquarters of the archbishops of Kefalonia. Lord Byron stayed at the house of Ali Pasha's doctor, Stravolemis Metaxas, for about four months in 1823. In 1933 the archaelogist Marinatos discovered three Mycenean chamber tombs in the area known as "Halikera". Mousata: Like Vlachata and Simotata, Mousata is One of the villages of the "Eikosimia" . It is famous for its honey produced from the nectar from coniferous trees and thyme, its sweet-tasting village bread,along with the two remaining workshops producing hessian cloth (used in the old-style olive presses), as well as woven carpets. Ntomata: in the church of the Virgin Mary Eisodia, with its marvellous hand-carved wooden icon screen decorated in melted gold (12.000 gold sovereigns were used), is the coffin of Grigorios V, which was rescued and brought to Ntomata in 1821 by captain George Sklavos. on the outskirts of the village there is a very old olive tree, known locally as “The Olive-tree of chatting”. Pessada: During the summer, there is a daily ferry from the port to the island of Zakynthos. In the village itself, visit the Church of Evaggelistria, dating from the 19th century, with its miraculous icon of “ The Virgin Mary of Palaioktisti” (from a religious wall-painting in the original church). You can also see the extremely beautiful icon from the Monastery of Estavromenos. In recent research based on the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 28, verse 1), Pessada has been connected with the shipwreck of apostle Paul. Poriarata: A Village in Ano Livatho, in the area known as Eikosimia, built in the shape of an amphitheatre amongst olive trees and flowers. Above the village there is a huge area of land, known as “At the Bishop's”, which used to belong to the bishop of Maini, Jeremiah. Sarlata: A small, graphic, secluded village, that is ideal for quiet holidays, the first that you meet as you entre Livatho from the direction of Argostoli. The first head office of the famous Band of Livatho. At the central church of the village, at Saint Athanasios, is buried the legendary captain Fokas. Svoronata: Admire houses with the traditional Kefalonian architecture and wrought-iron gates, demonstrating the old craft of the kefalonian blacksmiths. There is also an imposing belfry at the church of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of seamen. Svoronata was the bithplace of Colonel Svoronos who was on active duty in Macedonia in 1912. Simotata: According to an old Lixurian proverb, the village was always known for its cheese. Another saying goes: “wine from Minies and cheese from Simotata”. Spartia-Korianna-Klismata: Three beautiful villages retaining some of the original homes of thearistocracy and samples of local architecture. Evangelos Panas, who saw active duty in 1821 in the Battle of Lala, came fron Spartia. Visit the small private church of saint Gerasimos in Spartia and admire the elegant 15th century belfry. Travliata-Peratata: The Church of the Savior in Travliata, with its old icon screen and the icon of the Lady of Angels by Amvrosios Borinis, is well-worth visiting. Both villages are located along the main road leading to Poros. τάση στην πλατανόφυτη ειδυλλιακή περιοχή και να πιείτε «καραβισιάνικο» δροσερό πηγαίο νερό.