|
ARGOSTOLI , Kefallonia's capital, is a large and thriving town, virtually a city, with a marvellous site on a bay within a bay. The stone bridge, connecting the two sides of the inner bay, was initially constructed by the British in 1813. A small obelisk remains, but the plaque commemorating "the glory of the British Empire" has disappeared. The town was totally rebuilt after the earthquake, but has an enjoyable streetlife that remains defiantly Greek, especially during the evening volta around Platia Metaxa - the nerve centre of town - and along the pedestrianized Lithostrotou, which runs parallel to the seafront. The Korgialenio History and Folklore Museum (Mon-Sat 9am-2pm; ?3), on Ilia Zervou behind the Municipal Theatre, has a rich collection of local religious and cultural artefacts, including photographs taken before and after the 1953 quakes. Insight into how the island's nobility used to live can be gained from a visit to the new Focas-Cosmetatos Foundation , on Valianou opposite the provincial government building. It contains elegant furniture and a collection of lithographs and paintings, including works by nineteenth-century British artists Joseph Cartwright and Edward Lear. The newly refurbished Archeological Museum (Tues-Sun 8.30am-3pm; ?1.50), on nearby R. Vergoti, has a sizeable collection of pottery, jewellery, funerary relics and statuary from prehistoric, through Mycenaean to late Classical times. It is well laid out and labelled, rivalling Kerkyra Town's as the best such museum in the Ionians.
Your Tip for Argostoli
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Argostoli - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Argostoli - visit the main Argostoli forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Argostoli webguide section below! Thanks.
|
