Palliki peninsula spreads out along the western part of Kefallonia and is full of bays and caves. The area has different “colour” from the rest of the island. It has soft ground, low hills, lands for cultivation, much agricultural production, ariettas and cantatas and a lot of … satire which is expressed during the Carnival through total popular participation! The capital of Palliki is Lixouri, a place that –according to Laskaratos- was made by God … after the universe and before the other places! From Lixouri there is a ferry to Argostoli which runs every hour until midnight.
In Tetrapolis time, Palliki was the fourth autonomous city-state named Palli. It appears to have been the midway stop on the route between Greece and South Italy – Sicily. 200 inhabitants of Ancient Palli took part in the battle of Platees in 479 b.C. and after their victory against Persia their name “Palleis” was curved on a gold tripod dedicated to Apollo in Delphus. Ancient Palli continued her route in the history of the Byzantine era and the ruins dated back to that period confirm this link. There is no church in Palliki without excellent iconostasis and with no icons painted by famous artists of sacred art (Poulakis, Moschos, e.c.t.). Pure sample is the church of Agios Georgios in Kontogenada.
Many people of the culture were born in Palliki as Vincent Damodos, Elias Miniatis, Andrew Laskaratos, Spyros Marinatos, George Bonanos, Geroulanos, Iakovatos and Typaldos family, Petritsi and Bassia brothers and many others.
LIXOURI: Modern town with cosy, tree-lines streets, pretty harbour, pleasant squares. Visit the Iakovateios Library to admire the rare manuscripts, the painted ceilings, the antique furniture and the old books. The building housing this unique treasure is a pre-seismic sample of the local bourgeois architectural rhythm (Iakovatos mansion). Have a look at the Philharmonic School, an historical music centre founded in 1836. Take a photo of the opposite mansion of Geroulanos family where there is the room (the Keli) where the local Saint Panagis Basias lived. The Petritsios Public library “Damodos” is another important building with many rare books. The Vallianios Technial School (V.E.S.) was in 20th c. famous throughout Greece and today, two departments of the Techinical Institure of the Seven Islands (T.E.I.) are housed. Outside from Lixouri, in Lepeda, you can visit the 16th c. monastery of Agia Paraskevi where in the old cave the blessed Panagis Kourouklis led a hermit’s life. In Michalitsata you can enjoy the extraordinary view while you are drinking your coffee.
THE CASTLE OF ANCIENT PALLI: Today this area is named Paliokastro or Touri and throughout its extent there are ruins from ancient temples, large parts of walls, pieces from ancient columns, fragments from pots and many tombs curved in rocks.
HAVRIATA: In the church called Yperagia Theotokos is buried the philosopher and the great teacher of the Greek Nation Vincent Damodos.
KIPOURIA MONASTERY – MONASTERY OF TAPHIOS: The monastery was built 100 m. above the sea level and reminds somehow the Athos monasteries. The view is astonishing and the sunset is unbelievable. Before Kipouria is a tree-cover area where there are the ruins of the old monastery of the Agia Paraskevi in Taphios, connected with the mythical inhabitants of the territory named Taphii. The gate of this monastery is of unique craftsmanship.
THE MONASTERY IN KORONATO: Historical monastery of the15th c. The Throne with the icon of Our Lady weeps real tears and is connected with many miracles. In case you decide your stay there is a guest house.
DAMOULIANATA – RIFI: You can admire the marvelous sunset and the stunning old houses saved from the 1953 earthquakes.
THE MONASTERY OF VIRGIN MARY IN KEHRIONAS: Chains are hanging from the Throne of Virgin Mary in order to remember an old miracle (23/8/1694) happened in this area.
LIVADI: This place is a remarkable hudrobiotop and has a very tragic history. In the third decade of the 20th c. the inmate of the agricultural prisons transform Livadi in a very productive place.
ROGGI OR OROGGI: Driving to Monopolata you will meet the old church of Roggous, a historical monument of Ionian Islands rhythm worth being preserved. Around this church there are the ruins of the old cluster of the rural mansion of Haritatos family.
HAVDATA: Try wandering among the ruins of the old windmills and admire the wood curved iconostasis of the Agii Apostoli of the 18th c.
AGIA MARINA IN SOULLARI: It is worth visiting Agia Marina, a protected 16th c. building, the only church with two sides of different rhythms: the one is of Ionian baroque and the other of neo-classical.
ISLET OF VARDIANI: Southern of Lixouri the islet off the coast is called Vardiani (from the itl. guardare which means observe). Before the earthquake there stood a very high lighthouse.
MANTZAVINATA: Another village known from its tasteful wine. Dance in the August full-moon wine festival and visit the local vinery.
RITSATA: In Agios Dimitrios area, a very narrow lane leads to the beach of Ritsata where the ruins of the old country retreat of the poet and philosopher Andrew Laskaratos is standing. Before this place there is a vinery using biological methods to product wine. Try drinking its special taste wines.
ATHERAS: Swim in the spectacular bay of Atheras, eat fresh fish and sea-food and worship the small, picturesque coastal church of Agios Spyridon.
LEPEDA: An organized beach with a Blue Flag award.
XI: Organized beach with red sand and clean waters. The peculiar of the land with its characteristic rocks is unrepeatable. Near this beach is MIA LACCO beach.
KOUNOPETRA: Kounopetra is a huge rock in the sea near the coast which was used to move until the 1953 earthquakes.
VATSA: Vrahynari is pretty little bay where there is the church of Agios Nikolaos erected on the ancient temple of Poseidon. In the Archaeological Museum in Argostoli is kept the mosaic plate which depicts four dolphins and dates back to the Roman times.
LAGGADAKIA: Cosy small beach before the old lighthouse of Gero Gombos. Try swimming in the clear waters.
PLATIA AMMOS: In the centre of the highest village in Palliki, in Kaminarata, there is an old olive press. Then, you can direct to Platia Ammos, a fantastic beach with fine waters and a breathtaking view. But, you must be a little …. adventurous because you have to descend and ascend more than … 250 steps.
PETANI: Between Villatoria and Vovikes there is the majestic beach of wild beauty called Petani. It has got a Blue Flag award but the waters are deep enough.
AGIA ELENI: This pretty sandy beach is down the village of Damoulianata. If you like walking, you should try getting down to the beach. The walking route is fantastic.
AMIDI: Beach of amazing beauty with short cedar trees on the … wave. You can approach to Amidi only by boat from Atheras or Zola. Don’t forget to take with you a First Aid box.
Evridiki Livada