Argostoli

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Coordinates: 38°11′N 20°29′E

Greece Argostoli (Αργοστόλι)
Coordinates 38°11′ N 20°29′ E
Country Greece
Periphery Ionian Islands
Prefecture Kefalonia
Population 12,589 source (2001)
Area 155.0 km²
Population density 81 /km²
Elevation ±10 m
Postal code 281 00
Area code 26710
Licence plate code ΚΕ
Website www.argostoli.gr

Argostoli (Greek: Modern: Αργοστόλι, Ancient/Katharevousa: -ον, -on) has been the capital and administrative centre of Kefalonia, Greece, since 1757, following a population shift down from the old capital of Agios Yiorgios (also known as Kastro) to take advantage of the trading opportunities provided by the sheltered bay upon which Argostoli sits. Argostoli developed in to one of the busiest ports in Greece, leading to prosperity and growth, but between 1866 and 1999 the administrative borders changed little. Following the “Kapodistrias Law” of 1997, communities around the town united to form a larger Municipality of Argostoli which now includes the settlements of Spilia, Helmata, Kompothekrata, Lassi, Minies and ten former communities: Agona, Davgata, Dilinata, Zola, Thinia, Kourouklata, Nifi, Troyiannata, Faraklata and Farsa. The 2001 census recorded a population of 12,589 in the Argostoli municipality.

To the east of Argostoli town, at the end of the bay, beneath the aforementioned Castle of St. George, sits the Koutavos Lagoon, a feeding ground for the Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Now a nature reserve, the Koutavos Lagoon was once an almost impassable swamp where mosquitoes and malaria were rife. Under the British governor of the island, General Sir Charles James Napier, a wooden bridge was constructed across the lagoon in 1813 by Colonel Charles Philip de Bosset, a Swiss engineer in the employ of the British army.

Four years later stone arches were added and, after some 26 years, the entire bridge was rebuilt in stone. In continuous use until 2005, this narrow bridge is now closed to traffic, awaiting renovation by the Greek Ministry of Culture. This makes for a very pleasant, and virtually flat, walk around the lagoon. Almost halfway along the Drepano Bridge stands a stone column built by the British to celebrate their presence. At the end of the low, dog-legged bridge a right turn, followed by the first left, leads up to the small Agia Barbara church, built in to the rock at the end of the gorge. Continuing straight on over the bridge leads shortly to the British Cemetery and, a little further on, the Greek Orthodox cemetery at Drepano. The contrast in styles is quite noticeable.

A View from the Bridge
Enlarge
A View from the Bridge

The coastal road out of Argostoli to the west was known during the Venetian period as the ‘Piccolo Gyro’, a very pleasant (if rather long) walk to some superb beaches in the (now very popular) Lassi area. The return route is much shorter. Along the Piccolo Gyro, in the Vlikha area facing Lixouri, lie the ‘Swallow Holes’ of Katovothres, a unique geological phenomenon. Sea water disappears underground and travels under the island, re-emerging some fourteen days later in the Karavomylos area of Sami, having passed through the nearby, and very spectacular, underground Melissani lake.

The power of this sea water was harnessed, in 1835, to power a water mill. A further water mill, a little nearer to Argostoli, was added in 1859. This mill, with the water wheel inside the building, is now a popular café bar in the summer months. A derelict taverna sits on the site of the first mill, although the once-restored wheel is still present, next to the swallow holes.

A little further along the Piccolo Gyro is the Agion Theodoron lighthouse, named after the small adjacent church. More commonly known as the Fanari lighthouse, this too was built during the British occupation, in 1829. The original building was destroyed in the earthquake of 1953, the recently restored present structure was rebuilt, complete with Doric-style columns, from the original plans.

Original buildings that weren’t shattered by German bombing in 1943 were destroyed in 1953 by the earthquake that razed virtually all of Kefalonia, apart from the Fiskardo area, to the ground. Very little remains of old Argostoli and any colour photographs you may see of ‘old Argostoli’ are invariably from the film set of Captain Corelli's Mandolin which, although set largely in Argostoli, was actually filmed in the (much quieter) town of Sami. One of the few remaining buildings, although minus the upper floor, is the Kometatos Mansion, just off Plateia Valianos, the main square in Argostoli. This is now a small, private museum (open to the public) housing a numismatic collection and sets of lithographs of Kefalonia from the early 19th century.

A little further along, past the prefecture offices (town hall) opposite, is the Archaeological Museum (generally open from 09:00-15:00, Tuesday-Saturday, not feast days), which contains the most important finds from Kefalonia, including those from the Mycenaean tomb at Tzanata.

Across from the Archaeological Museum is the Kefalos Theatre and, up the road to the left of the theatre, the interesting Folklore and Cultural Museum (beneath the Koryialenios Public Library – both open 09:00-14:00, Monday-Friday, not feast days).

Opposite the Archaeological Museum are the law courts, originally constructed by the British with stone (allegedly) from the Cyclopean site at nearby Krani. Next to the courts is the start of Lithostroto, the pedestrian shopping centre of Argostoli which, along with Plateia Valianos, is ‘the place’ to be in the evening, when casual shoppers mingle with café society amid a very pleasant ambience. Along Lithostroto, next to the Catholic Church, is a tiny museum (open some mornings and most evenings) dedicated to the soldiers of the Acqui Division. A little further along is the Bell Tower. Rebuilt in 1985 to house the original clock mechanism, the ground floor is a pleasant, community-run, street café in Campanile Square providing employment for local people with learning difficulties. A climb to the top of the bell tower is rewarded with views along Lithostroto and across the bay.

Between the Koutavos Lagoon and the Drepano Bridge is the new bus station which connects Argostoli with the other towns and some of the villages on the island, as well as with Athens and Patras. A local produce market is situated just behind the bus station while a sprawling fruit and vegetable market runs along the seafront the other side of the bridge. The old bus station, just past these market stalls, is likely to accommodate a proposed seaplane service connecting Argostoli with Patras, due to commence Spring 2006.

Further along, Loggerhead turtles can often be seen, particularly in the morning when the local fishing boats are selling their catch. This part of the seafront is busy with yachts and a few local cruise boats in the summer months, while the big cruise ships have to drop anchor in the bay behind the Port Police offices. The main ferry port, connecting Argostoli with the mainland (via Kyllini) and Zakynthos (also known as Zante) is next to this building with the Lixouri ferry (once an hour in winter, twice an hour in summer) docking a little further along. During the thirty-minute crossing it’s sometimes possible to catch sight of the pod of dolphins that live in the bay.

Opposite the Port Police office is a short road leading to the main Plateia Valianos and, behind that, where the vineyards once stood on the Koutoupi hill, is the restored Napier Gardens.

[edit] Municipal districts

[edit] Nearest Places

[edit] Facilities and Services

Hospital, shops, banks (many with ATMs), etc

  • Note: Shop opening hours tend to be as follows (depends on shop keeper – may close later in high season), all times here are in Eastern European Time:

Monday: morning til around 14:00

Tuesday: morning til around 14:00 & eve 17:30 – 22:00

Wednesday: morning til around 14:00

Thursday: morning til around 14:00 & eve 17:30 – 22:00

Friday: morning til around 14:00 & eve 17:30 – 22:00

Saturday: Tuesday: morning til around 14:00

  • Banks, government offices, etc, don’t re-open in the evenings

[edit] Communications

ADSL (Broadband) available in Argostoli and Lixouri (only)

[edit] Transportation

Car ferry service to Kyllini (mainland) and Zakynthos (Zante)

Car ferry to Lixouri

Bus service to Athens, via Kyllini, Patras and the Corinth Canal bridge

Infrequent bus service to Poros, Sami, Skala, Fiskardo and various villages en route

Frequent summer service to Lassi

NO bus service to Kefallinia Airport

Scheduled flights to Zakynthos and Athens, charter flight in summer, via Kefallinia Airport

Seaplane service, Argostoli - Patras (due Spring 2006)

Taxis from Plateia Valianos and seafront, car and motorcycle/scooter hire

[edit] Historical population:

Year Communal population Change Municipal population Change Density
1981 7,164 - - - -
1991 6,815 -349/-4.87% 9,918 - 63.99/km²
2001 9,522 2,707/28.43% 12,589 2,671/26.9% 81/km²

[edit] External contactss




North: Pylaris
West: Argostoli Gulf Argostoli East: Omalon (community)
South: Ionian Sea Southeast: Leivathos

[edit] See also


Municipalities and communities of the Kefalonia Prefecture
Argostoli • Eleios-Pronnoi • Erisos • Ithaca • Leivathos • Paliki • Pylaros • Sami
Omala
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