Reasons to visit Kefalonia

Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian Sea. This beautiful island has seen some harrowing acts of war over the centuries, particularly in the Second World War when 5000 Italian soldiers were massacred by the Nazis after the Italian armistice of 1943.

Two films were made here about that dark period, ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’, starring Nicholas Cage and the Ennio Morricone film titled ‘Cefalonia’. During the filming of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin there was a lively debate between the production team and locals with regard chiefly to the anti-fascist stance taken by the island. Certain political references were omitted from the film as a consequence of the debate.

Further tragedy occurred on the island when a huge earthquake struck in 1953. Following the earthquake 100,000 islanders left Kefalonia to start afresh elsewhere leaving only 25,000 behind, such was the magnitude of the island’s destruction.

Despite the dark days of the past, tourists flock to this fascinating Greek island, there are many reasons to visit Kefalonia.

Ancient olive and fir trees are abundantly scattered across the island. The sea that encircles it is sapphire blue and the mountains soar above 5,000 feet. The endangered Loggerhead turtle nests on Kamina Beach. The equally as endangered and rare monk seal is found on its diverse and exhilarating coastline. Kefalonia is rich in bio-diversity with many rare species. Parts of the island were declared a ‘Natura site’ in the European Union’s Natura 2000.

Much of Kefalonia’s charm is that it clings on to traditional Greece. With no heavy industry, just raisins, olives and sheep, the traveller goes back in time here. The coastline contains around 40 beaches, some of which can be described as magnificent.

Great archaeological discoveries have been made on the island, some very recently. Fiscarda is a must see archaeological treasure on Kefalonia where Roman tombs were unearthed. Evidence of the 1953 earthquake is still visible through the many ruined and abandoned buildings on the island.

Perhaps the mass exodus of the Kefalonian people is part of the reason why the island remains so authentic and old?

In high season more tourists than locals can be on the island but because Kefalonia is so big, it can easily accommodate the throng of tourists that come here to escape the stresses and strains of modern life and to experience stepping back in time.