Page 29 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Corfu & the Ionian Islands

Argostóli, Kefalloniá ❮❮ 27

Drapanos
7 ARGOSTÓLI AND THE
Bridge
Constructed in 1813, this 1953 EARTHQUAKE
imposing stone bridge On 12 August 1953, an
(left) links Argostóli with earthquake measuring
the villages opposite the 7.2 on the Richter scale
town. British governor struck the southern
Charles De Bosset began Ionian Islands. It caused
its cons truc tion, while massive damage to
successor Charles Napier Kefalloniá, which is said
to have risen 60 cm
completed it. The bridge (24 in) above the
is also known as De seabed, and Zákynthos.
Bosset Bridge. Argostóli was flattened
Lássi
8 and its infrastructure
damaged beyond repair.
A modern sprawl
of mid­range hotels, Hundreds died and
survivors lost their
restaurants and bars, homes and livelihoods.
Lássi is located on the The town has since been
out skirts of the capital. It rebuilt to its original,
has trendy tav er nas, water­ traditional look. The
sports, sandy beaches and inspiring story of how
lovely views across the Argostóli rose from the
water to Lixóuri. Locals rubble is told in the
come here to unwind. Korgialeneio Historical
and Folklore Museum.
Agios Spyrídon 9
This church in
Lithostróto (right) houses
the gold iconostasis
of the Cathedral of
Korgialeneio
Argostóli, which was
6 saved when the building
Historical and
Folklore Museum fell in 1953. A memorial
The island’s Venetian procession for the victims
conquest in 1500 AD, of the earthquake leaves
together with the destruc­ from here every year.
tion and rebuilding of
Agios Georgios (Kástro)
Argostóli after the 1953 0
earthquake is shown in The capital of Kefalloniá until 1757, the now
exhibits and photographs ruined 16th­century Venetian fortress of Agios
displayed in this museum. Georgios, together with its pretty whitewashed
Other exhibits include village of Kástro, can be reached by a winding
tools and costumes. mountain road. The fortress offers splendid views.
Argostóli, Kefalloniá NEED TO KNOW
4 2.5 km
(1.5 miles) MAP G5
KTEL Kefalonias Bus Service:
1 www.ktelkefalonias.gr/en
3
CHAROKOPOU
5 GEORG 9 Korgialeneios Library: Ilia Zervou 12
IOANNOU METAXA
6 Korgialeneio Historical and Folklore
7 Museum: Ilia Zervou 12; 26710 28835;
2 open 8:30am–3pm; adm
1.5 km 8
IOANNOU M ETAXA
(1 mile) Agios Spyrídon: Lithostróto
VIRONOS IOU VERG OTI
DEVOSETOU 0 7 km
EVGENIOU MPASIA
(4 miles)
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