Located about 2 km from sami, the main port of the island of kefalonia, surrounded by majestic ancient city walls, on top of the hill, stands the ancient acropolis of same. The mycenaean culture left a strong remain in kefalonia, few cyclopean walls. Kefalonia museum of ancient greek technology by kotsanas, argostolion. In the ancient years four cities flourished, which were also independent states, the city of krani, the. Perusing the section on cephalonia in the ancient author strabos geography, the most important source of its kind for ancient geographical knowledge, bittlestone came across the following. The island owes its name to kephalos, the first king of the area during the palaeolithic era. Philip of macedonia tried to attack the island in 218 bc. The ancient greek poet homer mentioned zakynthos in the iliad and the odyssey, stating that its first inhabitants were the son of king dardanos of arcadia, called zakynthos, and his men. Calendar of events 2020 updated weekly as information is received. Very interesting museum with all ancient greek technologies. From fortresses and ancient monuments to natural caves and valleys spread all over the island, it features unique attractions for all interests.
It details the history of the islands in terms of the flora and fauna found there and outlines the geological timeline. At the homeric time kefalonia was a part of the kingdom of ithaca. All these successive revolutions and the appearance of the first socialist formations in our history, leading to the 21st of may 1864 when kefalonia and ithaca were reunited with greece. Archaeological excavations have been carried out throughout the whole island and the visitor has the chance to visit the archaeological sites that belong to different eras and periods.
Ancient sami was a powerful fortified town whose ruins are found in lapitha mountain, over the port town of sami kefalonia. In 434 bc kefalonian ships participated in the battle of the corithians against the people of ancient corfu. Best books on ancient greek history and literature 259 books. It is believed that the vessel lay at the bottom of the seabed for 2000 years. This word has its origins probably in the mountains of kefalonia island or because kefalonia is the largest of the ionian islands. Indeed, at different moments in the past, the island was ruled by the romans, the venetians, the turks, the turks together with the russians, the french, the british, the italians and. This is the full version with some modifications and is packed with. Contemporary historical events from 1940 to 1943 kefalonia was dominated by the italians.
The french publicly burnt the golden book where the names and privileges of the. In the museum there are artifacts from prehistoric era. Many reports were held in the books of homer about kefalonian. Information about the history and ancient sites of kefalonia island, greece. Historical mysteries set in ancient greece 23 books. At the end of a narrow road starting from the port stands out the modern chapel of agii phanentes built on the ashes of the ancient walls. Kefalonia, ionian islands, greece the history of kefalonia is quite extensive, stretching back to the stone age and boasting fabulous input from the mycenaeans. They reflect the thriving culture of the island at a crucial time in greek history. This book was set on kefalonia in world war ii, and most of it was filmed in sami. The ancient mycenaean tombs were discovered in the early 20th century just outside the village lakirtha. A stroll down the historic eras of kefalonia kefalonia island. This was the first of a huge number of conquerors that passed through kefalonia during the history. Each adventure has a description, photos and a pois list. Kefalonia is also known from fortresses and ancient monuments to natural.
Cultures of the world kefalonia my travelling days. Scattered off the west coast of mainland greece are the seven ionian islands, celebrated for their spectacular landscapes, olive groves and classical associations. With its unseen natural beauties, historic monuments and hospitality of residents, kefalonia is an island that can impress every visitor. Ancient origins articles related to kefalonia in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Excavations have shown that the history of kefalonia started in the ancient times.
Kefalonia is the biggest island of the ionian islands, read the history and the. The ancient greek mysteries are fun and actionpacked stories that are perfect for introducing readers in ks2 to the topic of ancient greece. The most important attraction of markopoulo and one of the most remarkable sites of the island is the virgin mary fidousa or lagouvarda known for the appearance of snakes all over greece and abroad looking back in time we find traditions that have been spread by. Libraries containing thousands of volumes of books covering a long period of human history, from the 16th century to today. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. The largest, and perhaps the most varied, of the islands, theres space to breathe here, and its convoluted coastline conceals all sorts of captivating coves and beach. The ancient town of krani lost its autonomy from the romans in the 2 nd century bc. What hotels are near kefalonia museum of ancient greek technology by kotsanas. Early seafaring activity in the southern ionian islands, mediterranean sea.
Robert bittlestone, in his book odysseus unbound, has suggested that paliki. Knapp elf millionen einwohner memento des originals vom 14. It sells books, cards, and small gifts, such as a silver copy of a sealstone and. The most significant event occurred in the period 886912 ad, when kefalonia was appointed as the seat of the provincial government of ionian islands. Corgialenios library is situated in the centre of argostoli. Best archaeological sites in kefalonia f zeen retreat. The corgialenios library was established in 1924 in execution of last will and testament of the great benefactor of kefalonia, marinos corgialenios, which stipulated the establishment of a public library in argostoli. Like much of greece, kefalonia has had a turbulent history. The history of kefalonia is quite extensive, stretching back to the stone age and boasting fabulous input from the mycenaeans. The acropolis of krani was an ancient fortified town of the tetrapolis of kefalonia located one kilometer away from the city of argostoli. The first known inhabitants were leleges, who inhabited the island in the 15th century bc, bringing with them the cult of poseidon. The island is mentioned as tetrapolis, because in ancient times it was divided into four. Analysing international reactions and the united states role in the coup this is about as much detailed information as you can get in one book on this dark period in greeces history. Kefalonia archaeological sites kefalonia is an island with a rich history.
It continues our very successful landmark visitors guide to kefalonia, which ran to five print editions, before the demise of the publisher. Odysseys end the search for ancient ithaca history. In ancient times, kefalonia participated in the persian and peloponnesian wars on the side of both athens and sparta. At the end of the peloponnese war, in the period between 404 and 322 b. Archaeological excavations have brought to light traces of the citadel on the hill of pezoules and kasteli.
Throughout the year many events take place in kefalonia religious celebrations and feasts, arts festivals, wine and food festivals, gymnastic symposiums, road races and much more this calendar of events also includes national holidays and observances. According to the locals, this king founded the four main cities of the island which were sami, pahli, krani, and pronnoi, and named them after his sons. At rough guides, we understand that experienced travellers want to get truly offthebeatentrack. This is a classic for a reason, opening up a window into the greek mind and soul. Nonfiction but can also include ancient greek literature, myths, poetry, drama and philosophy.
In the ancient years, there was four great independent cities. The wreck was located off the greek island of kefalonia, between 20 and 2014 during an underwater natural and cultural heritage assessment survey, reports the journal of archaeological. In fact, its highest peak is mount athos, which has been declared as a national natural park. Kefalonia museum of ancient greek technology by kotsanas. Something quite different to the various ancient landmarks around kefalonia, melissani cave is home to a vast sea water lake, which is.
Every civilization that passed from kefalonia island left a piece of their culture without killing local traditions and local culture. Excursions in kefalonia what to do, to visit and attractions. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. This e book brings kefalonia right to your finger tips. The cephallenes, inhabitants of a legendary reign that included kefalonia, ithaki, zakynthos zante and lefkas are mentioned for the first time by the greek poet omer. Zakynthos was then conquered by king arkesios of kefalonia, and then by odysseus from ithaca. It was no different during my recent short break on the marvellous greek island of kefalonia, stuffed with history like your typical greek dolmades are with rice. The museums of kefalonia kefalonia island a complete. Alexanders legacy comes to life in this engaging history. The first references of kefalonia s history exist from the period of the persian wars, where we find kefallonians participating in the battle of plataea. The original old museum was completely destroyed during the earthquake of 1953 and then rebuilt in 1960, today is the best place to go to learn about the history of the island. Best books on ancient greek history and literature ancient greece. Historical mysteries set in ancient greece score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The island has a population of 45,000 permanent inhabitants, whose main resource comes from agriculture, fishing and tourism.
It is also a separate regional unit of the ionian islands region, and the only municipality of the regional. In the archaeological museum located in argostoli you will discover the ancient history of kefalonia. The longman history today book prize is open to an authors first or second book, written in english, on any aspect of history, published between 1 october 2018 and 31 september 2019. Kefalonia natural beauty and turbulent history tripsavvy. Ancient greek biography, greece ancient history, books. Kefalonia is inhabited continuously since the paleolithic era.
History of kefalonia or cephalonia greka ionian suites. Thats why weve partnered with local experts to help you plan and book tailormade trips that are packed with personality and stimulating adventure at all levels of comfort. It includes routes, descriptions and photos for 23 hiking and mountaineering trails, 3 birdwatching routes, 2 routes for butterfly observation, one floristic trail, 2 geological trips, 2 suv and a road trip, covering the whole kefalonia island. This town was an autonomous and independent state with its own coin inhabited from the paleolithic times. Kefallonia travel ionian islands, greece lonely planet. The island has numerous interesting villages, many of which feature charming venetian buildings, as well as ancient archaeological sites.
Kefalonia topoguide is a digital field guide for hiking and touring in the kefalonia island. Oskars the history, the mythology and the conqourors of kefalonia. In fiskardo there is a massive polygonal stonework at the base of the mountains at pyrgos which was believed to be a mycenaean stronghold. It was an independent state inhabited from the paleolithic times. A captivating guide to the thracian captivating history. In the ancient period, the people lived in four cities on the island. It is another example of the love of the inhabitants of kefalonia for culture. Cephalonia, along with the other islands, were transferred to greece in 1864 as. Thanks to the help of the athenians, they managed to defeat him. At the copper age, the tafians or the televises,another ancient greek people, inhabited the island. The various landmarks of kefalonia are spread all over the island and range from fortresses and ancient monuments, to natural caves and valleys.
The cambridge illustrated history of ancient greece paul anthony cartledge, 1997. Together with the mountainous mainland region of epirus, the combined populations of corfu, paxos, lefkas, ithaca, kefalonia, zakynthos, and kythira constitute less than a twentieth of the population of greece, yet they have. Markopoulo of kefalonia is the result of the large settlement of 1507 that the venetians attempted to create in elios and pronnoi. Steeped in historical detail, the series follows the adventures of a scribe called nico and his friend thrax, who is a slave, as they work together to solve mysteries. The mythology tells that the young kefalos, a refugee from athens, once arrived in kefalonia and defeated a group of people called tafi, who lived in the western peninsula of the island, had been controlling the island for a long period of time before becaming the king. He wrote a shorter book called the hellenistic age.
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