Location-Livathos
Information about the surrounding area
Livathos is the municipality in which Spartia is situated. There are many
great places to visit that are close by, easily accessible by car.
St GEORGE CASTLE
In 187 B.C., the Romans came to occupy the island and held it until 395
A.D. It then became part of the Byzantium Empire until 1185, when the Venetians
took control. They built an impressive castle east of the present capital
of Argostoli, and made it the new capital of the island. Built in the shape
of a polygon, it sprawls over an area of 1,600 sq. m and the perimeter of
the walls is 600 m.
It is situated in the village of Agios Georgios on the top of the hill close
to Travliata. The name comes from a Byzantine chapel for St George or Agios
Georgios in Greek. The chapel doesn’t exist today as it was already
in ruins when the Venetians started building the castle in 1500. During
the Venetian Domination, it used to be the capital of the island with a
population of 15000 people inside and at the surroundings. In 1757 the capital
was transferred to Argostoli. Also notable is that a secret passage is supposed to exist that leads around the area of Argostoli and was used as an emergency exit during sieges.
It does not impress by the state it is in so much rather with the fact that
one would hardly expect to find something of this scale in Kefalonia. Opening times during the tourist season are 09.00 until 18.30 but things are rather not well organized so you may find it closed with the excuse of renovation.
Very close by is the MONASTERY of St ANDREAS.
This peaceful monastery was first built during the Byzantine era only to
be almost completely destroyed by the powerful earthquake that hit Kefalonia
in 1953. The only structure of the old convent that survived the earthquake
is now a small museum that exhibits various artifacts. Some of these artifacts
date as far back as the 14th Century. Also a more cheerful side to the 1953
earthquake was that some of the plaster came off revealing beautiful Byzantine
frescoes.
Also in the monastery one can find the Holy remains of the right foot of
Apostle Andrew, the most valuable treasure of the church (an orthodox holy relic), which is kept
in a golden casket.
Open for visits from 7am to 2pm and from 5pm to 9pm.
The MAZARAKATA TOMBS
These Mycenaean tombs were discovered in 1908 by local archaeologist P.
Kavadias and are also situated very close from the castle of St George and
the monastery. They are maintained poorly and they are difficult to find
even though they are right next to the main road. Nevertheless they are
quite interesting and worth a visit.
The tombs were found intact full of gifts and items to accompany the diseased
in the underworld. These are of high quality and can be seen in the archaeological
museum in Argostoli. The site itself presents a complete burial ground of
16 tombs that contain 83 graves in total.
AVITHOS beach
Avithos is a beautiful sandy beach very popular with locals and tourists
alike. There is parking facility, a nice local taverna a lifeguard and a
canteen functioning that also provides sun beds. This does not mean that
you can not find a quiet spot as the beach stretches on forever. It is actually
linked to Paliolinos beach that is very close from Spartia. Also separated
by rocks from Avithos is Megali Petra beach which is equally charming but
much quieter as there are no facilities there. The beach of Megalipetra
is also reached by a footpath but be careful where to park and not to go
too far down the road.
The little island Dias is in constant view in the horizon. This little island
used to house a temple devoted to Zeus but now instead houses a small chapel
for Saint Diotissa.
LOURDAS beach
Lourdas beach is located in Lourdata village just off the road from Vlahata
village. The beach combines sand and pebble and the waters are crystal clear
but there is a dirt track and cement along the back of the beach which is not very nice . It is well
organised and offers all the necessary services and usually has water sport
facilities during the summer.
All these places are a 5-10 minute drive from our apartments.