Agia Dynati

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The Greek mountain Agia Dynati (Saint Dynati) is the second highest mountain of Kefalonia (1131 m.), after the mount Ainos (Mavrovouno). It is also the third highest mountain of the Ionian Islands after Ainos and Elati (Lefkada). The origin of the name "Agia Dynati" is unknown, because there is no Saint Dynati in Orthodox calendar.

The stretch of the mountain covers parts of the municipalities of Lixouri, Pylaros, Sami and Kranaia. Between the tops of the mountain there are small tablelands, but there is also a bigger one, which is named Falari. It is believed that Falari produces the best feta-cheese in Greece.

At Agia Dynati, during the 16th century, the Holy Monastery of Panagia Thematon was built in a very lovely environment. Many traditional villages are built in the mountains, such as Makriotika, Divarata, Poulata, etc.

Locally, Agia Dynati is believed to be the rock that Cronus threw to Earth, after Zeus gained power. Rhea, the wife of Cronus, gave him the rock covered with swadding-clothes to eat it, because Cronus had eaten all of her children. When Cronus swallowed the rock, he suffered. So, Rhea could birth his child Zeus in Crete, without Cronus knowing it. When Zeus gained power, he commanded Cronus to throw the rock to the Earth and also the children he had eaten.

In Agia Dynati, many Italians were killed by Germans, during the infamous "Massacre of Division Acqui."