Monasteries and Churches

When visiting religious places in Greece it is considered disrespectful to wear clothes better suited to the beach and specifically you should cover your shoulders. Covering your head is not necessary whilst neck to knee coverage is recommended.

Situated near the village of Havdata on the west coast of the Pali peninsula 15 km from the town of Lixouri, the Monastery is built on the edge of a solid rocky cliff 90 metres above the sea and is undoubtedly, the most impressive on the island of Kefalonia. The one and only resident Monk is there to greet you and open the door of the church.

A Greek Orthodox Cemetery whose cultural value lies in the sculptures of the tombs which date from the mid-19th century until the inter-war years. Some of the monuments were created by famous artists such as Bonanos. There is a certain irony in the fact that this cemetery remained intact after the devastating earthquake of 1953 Edit Text

Near Sami, the Monastery was built in the 18th century when the miraculous icon of Theotokos was found by two shepherds and their maid in 1722. Following the discovery of the icon, they decided to live a monastic life. The monks Simon and Gabriel and the nun Pelagia were the first members of the Monastery. Saint Cosmas the Aetolian gave sermons here during his passage from Sami. The Monastery celebrates on 15th August when thousands of devout worshippers from all over Kefalonia and Ithaca make their pilgrimage. The destroyed Monastery of St Phanedon is located nearby where you can admire superb frescoes of the post Byzantine era. The miraculous icon of St Phanedon and the icon of the Virgin and Child are kept in the big new Church of the Virgin in Sami which has exceptional modern frescoes and a sup

Situated near the Castle of Saint George the church was built in 1580, according to an inscription on the wall. At the time this was the cathedral of the then capital of Kefalonia. It has a carved wooden iconostasis with lovely icons. The old belfry is under restoration. Edit Text

Situated in Argostoli in the Lithostroto pedestrian area, Holy Mass is in Saturday at 19.00 and Sunday at 10.00. From Monday to Friday, services are at 09.00. Tel. 26710 22473 Behind Saint Nicholas Church there is an exhibition organised by the Italian-Greek Association of Kefalonia and Ithaca known as Mediterraneo. The aim is to keep alive the memory of the 'Acqui' division who were massacred in Kefalonia in September 1943 Edit Text

Located 10 km from Argostoli near the village of Peratata is the nunnery of Saint Andreas with a church dedicated to Saint Andreas (Andrew). This former Byzantine convent was almost completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1953 but has since been restored and turned into a fine museum housing a wonderful collection of Byzantine icons. The holy relics of St Andreas are resting in a golden casket.

Situated in the Omala valley, the Monastery is dedicated to the island's patron saint and is the most important womanly Monastery on the island. Saint Gerasimos (1506-1579) came from the aristocratic and wealthy Notaras family.

Every August just before the religious festival of Panaghia (Virgin Mary) many small harmless snakes appear all around the church. They are considered a prophesy of good luck. The snakes disappear on the day of the festival after they have visited inside the church and have climbed all over the icons.

A manly Monastery, it was built in the 13th century when Franciscus of Assisi organised a Monastery dedicated to the Virgin belonging to the Latin Episcopi of Kefalonia. During the middle ages the orthodox religion was introduced to the Monastery leading to a combined orthodox and Roman-catholic monastic life which was not always peaceful! Some of the icons from the Sission Monastery can be found in the museum of Saint Andrew's Monastery.

At the end of World War II, the British army erected a bailey bridge as a temporary measure on the road leading out of Argostoli to Sami. Under the bridge is a very unusual church - the church of Aghia Barbara. The church itself is on the right. There are steps leading down and on the hill above is the bell tower. Only half of the church is on view as the other half is actually built into the rock face. There is a large cave and this forms part of the church which also has a natural rock alter. Although no longer used for regular services, it is used for the occasional wedding or baptism.
It is said the church was erected by some wealthy parents of a child who was saved while playing in the area. A shepherdess named Barbara was tending her flock and managed to save a child from falling into the valley. The door to the church is usually open and has some interesting icons as well as bats inside.

Situated in the village of Markopoulo 25 km from Argostoli the church houses the miraculous Virgin's icon, known as 'Lagouvarda'. The church is built on the site of the old Virgin's Monastery which was destroyed by the Turks. It is said that the nuns escaped from the poisonous snakes when they appeared on the Virgin's icon. Every year between the 6th and 15th August harmless snakes appear miraculously on the venerated Virgin's icon in continuous remembrance of this miracle, proving the continued presence of the Virgin and Her protection to all devout worshippers. Main feast day is 15th August when many small harmless snakes appear all around the church. They are considered to be a prophesy of good luck and locals say they did not appear in the year of the earthquake in 1953. The snakes disappear on the day of the festival after they have visited inside the church and have climbed all over the icons.

The British Cemetery is situated at the north end of the Drapano bridge on the road to Lixouri outside of Argostoli. It is the final resting place for over 200 British Servicemen and their families and for a few civilians. Recorded burials go back to 1681. A former British army officer, Roy Harrison, moved to Kefalonia in 1997 and the following year he was offered a contract by the War Graves Commission to care for the cemetery