Лефкада

Tекст: Александр Фролов

Lefkada
Ionian island, with a great history and the known combination “natural beauties and fabulous beaches”. According to a new theory, Lefkada was the Homeric Ithaca, but nothing is really proved yet. The fact is that this island is so beautiful that deserves a visit whether  it was the homeland of Ulysses or not.

Lefkada was not always an island, to begin with. It was attached to the opposite coast, but the ancient Corinthians who peopled the place had opened a canal to facilitate navigation, converting Lefkada to an island. In any case, it is so close to the coasts of Aetolia-Acarnania and of Preveza, that you can go there by car via the underwater tunnel of Preveza-Aktion.

Before the Corinthians turn Lefkada into their colony and island, its name was Nirikos, but they named it Lefkada after the cape Lefkatas. The archaeological site of Nirikos is located about 2 km from the city of Lefkada, in Kalligoni. The ruins of the walled settlement of the ancient city, dating from the Archaic to the Roman period, two cemeteries, individual monuments and scattered buildings, such as tombs, farmhouses and port facilities, are what is left from this city which was abandoned in 1300 AD.

The Archaeological Site of Nirikos is not the only sight of the island with historical interest. In the valley of Nydri, from the foothills of Mount Skaros to the village Nikiana, there is another archaeological site, dotted with tombs from the Proto-Helladic period, cist and tiled graves and scattered ruins of buildings. In the cape Lefkatas, there are the ruins of the temple of Apollo Lefkatas, which was one of the most known sanctuaries of the ancient world. Every year nationwide feasts were held there in honor of the god who was the protector of sailors and physician of body and soul. It was believed that jumping off the cliffs of the cape, the soul liberated from the burden of passions and from atone sins. Better not try it today...

The entrance of the island is dominated by the castle of Agia Mavra, one of the most imposing medieval buildings in Greece, built in 1300 AD by the Frankish ruler John Orsini, when he took Lefkada as a dowry for his marriage to the daughter of the Despot of Epirus, Nikiforos A ‘. Another castle of Lefkada is the “Kastromonastiro” (Castle-monastery), near Episkopi. It is said that the mother of the great hero of 1821, Georgios Karaiskakis, is buried there.

Capital city and main port of Lefkada is the namesake city, which chronologically is the third capital city of the island after the Ancient Nirikos and the Medieval Agia Mavra. Colorful houses with tiled roofs, beautiful squares, narrow quaint streets and the so popular promenade are the main features of this lovely city. The sights of the city of Lefkada include the park Bosketo with the busts of important personalities of Lefkada, the churches of Agios  Spyridonas in the heart of the city (built at the end of the 17th century), of Agios Nikolaos (built in 1687), of Christos Pantokratoras (built in 1684) and of Agios Minas (built in 1707), and the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada (Ang. Sikelianou & N. Svoronou street, visiting hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8:00-15:00, closed on Sunday and Monday. Ticket prices: 3 euros, 2 euros).

The most popular destination of Lefkada though is Nydri,which stretches along the coastline, in the middle of the east coast of the island. Washed by the Ionian Sea and surrounded by a verdant plain, the beautiful Nydri is an ideal base for excursions to the island’s beauties, such as the magical small waterfalls of the Dimosari Canyon (west of Nydri), the romantic chapel of Agia Kyriaki on the namesake wooded cape opposite of Nydri and the neighboring Cave of the Nymphs (you can go there either by car or by rent boat) and the imposing mount Skaros with the perrenial trees, north of Nydri. From Nydri you can also take a daily cruise to Ithaka, Cephalonia, Meganisi and the fabulous Prigkiponisia.

As for the beaches of Lefkada, I don’t even know from where to start, the sure thing is that the best of them are located in the west side of the idland. Egkremnoi is one of the most famous of the Mediterranean Sea. 2 km of perfect white sand, surrounded by white cliffs, turquoise waters and exotic landscape. At this side, you will also meet  the gorgeous Porto Katsiki which is considered the best beach of Greece: a white strip of sand in front of the impressive white rock and then the Big Blue. The access however is not a piece of cake. You will have to descent one hundtrend stairs before your feet reach the sand, but it worth it. If the stairs are too much for you, you can go by boat from Nydri or Vasiliki. Kathisma is another great option. It used to be the favorite spot of the campers and the nudists, but today it is the most cosmopolitan beach of Lefkada, super organized, with cafes, beach bars and restaurants. Other beaches of the west side are
 Pefkoulia, Agios Nikitas, Mylos and Gialos. At the north you can choose between Ai Giannis, Myloi, Gyra, Kastro and Ammoglwssa. At the south the best choices are Mikros Gialos, Ammousa, Agiophili and Vasiliki. The east side of the island, although is not so famous for its beaches (Nydri, Desimi, Lygia, Nikiana), is ideal when the weather is bad, since these beaches are always calm and safe. Needless to say that there are  bars, restaurants and accommodations for every budget in almost all these beaches/seaside settlements.

How to get there: By car from Athens (distance 361 km) via E65, from Preveza (distance 26,9 km) via National Road Amfilochia-Lefkada or the the underwater tunnel of Preveza-Aktion. By bus: Athens bus station (100  Kifissou Avenue, Athens), tel.: +30 210 51 50 108. Lefkada bus station (A. Tzeveleki & Philosophon street, Lefkada), tel.: +30 26450 22 364. By ferry boat from Kyllini. Lefkada port, tel.: +30 26450 22  176/ 22 322. Kyllini port, tel.: +30 26230 92 000. By air (via the Aktion National Airport, which is just 18 km from Lefkada). Aktion National Airport (Vonitsa, Preveza), tel.: +30 26820 26 113

Τext: Marilou Pantazi

АрхеологияПляжи