According to the Greek port authorities, the Hellenic lighthouse network extends for 18,400 km along the national coasts with a total of 1,297 lighthouses to cover the needs of a very large number of islands, islets, bays and ports (source Grecian Delight). In Kefalonia the following lighthouses will be open today:
- Gero Gompos Lighthouse: built in the early twentieth century during the English protectorate of the island, the lighthouse is located not too far from Lixouri, west of Kefalonia. From the rocks on which the lighthouse is perched it is possible to enjoy an unlimited view of the Ionian Sea but also of the Paliki peninsula, one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas of the island. Archaeological findings suggest that a temple dedicated to Poseidon was found on this promontory and that this part of the island was a fundamental docking point for ships that moved in the Mediterranean in ancient times. The lighthouse played a crucial role during the Second World War and was razed to the ground by German soldiers on their departure from the island. Rebuilt in 1947, it is now 13 meters high. In the past the lighthouse belonged to the Greek Navy and had limited access but currently it works in an automated way. On the occasion of the visit to the lighthouse we suggest a swim in one of the suggestive beaches in the area such as Lepeda (particularly suitable for families with children), Xi Beach with its red sand or Kounopetra, the magical beach of "moving stone". In fact, the beach owes its name to a large flat-shaped rock which, until 1953, when a terrible earthquake upset the balance of the island, used to move along the coast. A mystery of great scientific interest and a fascinating history that will forever accompany this beach.
- Venetian lighthouse of Fiskardo: in the village of Fiskardo, at the north end of the island, there are two lighthouses. The oldest, built by the Venetians in the sixteenth century, is a cylindrical tower that resembles an ancient column in shape. The area around the lighthouse is bordered by stones and houses an old house for the guardians that is now uninhabited and in poor condition. From the promontory, however, you can enjoy an astounding panoramic view of the bay and the picturesque village. The lighthouse was very important for the Serenissima Republic because it allowed a small fleet of commercial ships to find shelter in the small port of the village, the main trading point for the Erisos region. In fact, large quantities of oil, wine and grapes left for Venice from this harbour. In the nineteenth century, a second lighthouse of 14 meters was built not far from the first building to replace it; damaged by the earthquake of 1953, the new lighthouse was almost entirely rebuilt in 1953. The lighthouses are now easily reachable with a pleasant 30-minute walk that starts from the end of the port of Fiskardo and is also suitable for children. The route also allows you to see the interesting ruins of a pre-Christian basilica from the 6th-8th century. Part of the path is shaded thanks to the dense Mediterranean vegetation of the area.
The Lighthouse of St Theodor on the Fanari road between Argostoli and Lassi is not one of the Greek lighthouses that today open exceptionally to the public but obviously deserves to be mentioned at the end of this short article as one of the undisputed icons of the island. The lighthouse takes its name from the church located a short distance from the building. The original lighthouse was built in 1829 under British rule as a circular building with Doric columns. Like most of Argostoli's historic buildings it was unfortunately demolished by the earthquakes of 1953 and rebuilt soon after. The lighthouse has recently been restored to be preserved from erosion caused by the saltiness.
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