Agia Dynati

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Agia Dynati (Greek: Αγία Δυνατή, English: Saint Dynati) is the second highest Greek mountain of Kefalonia (1131 m.), after Mount Ainos (Mavrovouno). It is also the third highest mountain of the Ionian Islands after Ainos and Elati (Lefkada). Between the mountain's peaks are small tablelands, with one larger one named Falari. It is believed that Falari produces the best feta-cheese in Greece.

The stretch of mountain includes parts of the municipalities of Lixouri, Pylaros, Sami and Kranaia. At Agia Dynati, during the 16th century, the Holy Monastery of Panagia Thematon was built. Many traditional villages, such as Makriotika, Divarata, Poulata, are built in the mountains.

In mythology, 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. The origin of the name "Agia Dynati" is unknown, as there is no Saint Dynati on the Orthodox calendar.

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