Kefalonia Architecture

The occupation of Kefalonia island from the Franks, the Venetians and the British, as well as its separation from the rest of Greece, led to the establishment of Venetian and Neoclassical architecture. Presently, the most interesting characteristics of Kefalonian architecture can be seen in Argostoli, the beautiful capital. Imposing buildings like the Municipal Theatre and the Town Hall stand as important touchstones in Kefalonia embellishing every corner of this town with their splendid Venetian character.

The whole island is a clear mixture of the past and present, based on the traditional architecture that survived the catastrophic earthquake in 1953 and the numerous buildings that were built after that time. Before the earthquake, Argostoli was characterized by several imposing mansions and palaces with Italian influences and baroque elements. Today, the town is filled with a large collection of traditional houses of Ionian architecture.

Of high interest are the houses in the countryside, which belonged to noble families. They are mostly a mixture of Neoclassical and baroque elements and some of the most beautiful can be seen in the famous village of Fiscardo, the only village that survived the earthquake. Houses in Kefalonia retain their lovely tile roofs, light colors and traditional balconies.

Outside the town, there is a well-preserved lighthouse with a colonial style built by the British, but the most famous structure on the island is the bridge, known as De Bosset Bridge, that connects Argostoli to the opposite shore. A trip around the unspoiled villages of Kefalonia, one of the most beautiful Greek islands, will give you the opportunity to penetrate into the traditional aspect of the island.

Visitors can enjoy their stay in many hotels that have respected traditional architecture.

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