The Kefalonia Botanical Garden was founded in 1998 on the initiative of the Fokas - Cosmetatos Foundation and is located a short distance from the centre of Argostoli, near the industrial area, on a plot of land of about 10,000 square meters. Constantly expanding and developing, Kefalonia Botanica carries out the important task of conserving and promoting the wild and endemic plants of Kefalonia and is actively involved in the promotion of environmental issues that are becoming increasingly urgent over time. Although Greece has the richest and most varied flora in Europe, in fact, the country has very few botanical gardens and research centers. The Greek flora is also threatened by summer fires, urban development, overgrazing and tourism, so it is essential to raise public awareness of environmental issues and encourage the enhancement of local flora in the context of sustainable development.
Blue sea, little churches with waving flags, octopuses lying in the sun... And goats, goats everywhere. Funny and very agile, sacred to the ancients and insatiable devourers of plants and more, goats are among the undisputed symbols of Greece. Do you think this is an exaggeration? Look back at your holiday photos and you will probably agree with us. But did you know that Kefalonian goats have something really special? Like real rappers, their teeth are golden!
They are among the largest reptiles in the world, inhabit almost all the oceans and are so ancient that they shared the planet with dinosaurs over 210 million years ago. The Caretta Caretta turtle ("loggerhead" in English for its large and muscular head) is a symbol of the Mediterranean and of Greece in particular: our coasts host 60% of the nests in the Mediterranean area and two of the most important breeding sites for the species, one in Zakynthos and the other in the western Peloponnese.
On a Greek island, especially in winter, time seems to go slower than in the rest of the world. The rhythms are marked by the conditions of the sky and the sea and reality finds an explanation in an intricate intertwining of myths, memories, history, traditions and science. It so happens that the warm temperatures of these days are not only determined by meteorological causes but also by a couple so in love as to involuntarily offend the gods, a compassionate Zeus and a beautiful sea bird, the Alcyone (or kingfisher).