Cephalonia (Kefalonia)
information for your Ionian yacht charter itinerary
The largest island of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia or Cephalonia is an island of bare limestone mountains rising to 1628 m in Mount Ainos.
Ithaca is a rocky island separated from Kefalonia by the 2 nm wide Ithaca channel (Stenon Ithakis) and is almost cut into two by the long Gulf of Molos on its east side; the isthmus is only 600 m wide. Together with Atoko island Ithaca is a
marvelous yacht charter area.
Atoko Island is uninhabited but provides two beautiful anchorages.
History
The earliest finds of pottery point to a first settlement towards the end of the 3rd millennium BCE. A number of Mycenaean sites have been identified, though their poverty is difficult to reconcile with the wealthy Homeric times.
In the 6th and 5yh century BCE the Islands were - like Corfu - under the influence of Corinth; then in 456 BCE Tolmides compelled it to submit to Athens. At that time there were four city states on
Kefalonia - Kranioi, Pale, Pronnoi and Same - which Thucydides refers to as a
tetra polis. The cities were members of the Aeolian League, and Cephallenian vessels fought against the Romans, but eventually the island fell into the power of Rome. Thereafter the islands shared the destinies of the other Ionian Islands.
Ports
The entrance to Fiscardo bay is difficult to locate, but a few modern buildings north of Fiscardo are conspicuous.
The Large stone lighthouse as well as the smaller Venetian lighthouse are clearly visible.
Excellent shelter in all conditions, although the anchorage just below Fiscardo town has a bad reputation (bad holding and less protected).
Argostoli port is located in the deep Kolpos Argostoliou. This bay is frequented by the ferry between Lixouri and Argostoli (caution).
There is a reef running from Cape Pelagia and from Cape St Nikolaos.
When you have reached the port of Argostoli you can berth stern-to or bows-to near the ferry quay. If you prefer to anchor there is a cove on the east side of the entrance of the inlet, poor shelter.
Assos looking NW.
Port Assos is located north between the peninsula bearing the fortress (poorly visible when approaching) and the mainland of
Kefalonia. Anchor in the little bay or of the S of the quay.
See also the larger image below
Assos port looking ESE from the Venetian fort.
St Eufimia (Ay Eufimia) looking SSE. In the far distance: Sami port.
Poros looking SSE.
Vathi on Ithaca looking NW. In the far distance across Kolpos Aetou the north part of Ithaca.
Kioni looking ESE. |
