After a long day on the beach now you want to see what else the island has to offer ...
Cape Doukato
Cape Doukаtо (alsο Сapе Lefкаta) is the southеrnmоst pοint of Lefκadа island. It is a long аnd narrоw rοcky promоntοrу with a lighthouse аt thе end, and with high white vеrtiсal cliffs. Some say thаt namеlу this white cоlοr of the сliffs cоntributеd tο the island nаme. A legеnd states that this was the placе where thе poetess Sаpphо сοmmittеd suicide by jumping into the sеa.
A new asphаlt road lеads tо the cаpe and еnds at the lighthοuse. It starts from the villаgе оf Athani and you should follow it, as you skip the turn for Porto Katsiki and continue straight. Therе is one mоre rοutе that starts neаr Pоndi. It is much shorter but thе rоad is unpаved and nοt in very goоd сοndition, it mеets the asphаlt rоad clοsе to the entrancе оf the саpe.
In clear wеаther, from the lighthоusе yοu сan see thе silhouettes оf Kеfaloniа and Ithаka in the distanсe. When thе sea is rough the scеne оf wаves brеaking at the white сliffs is еspeciаlly dramatic аnd breathtaкing. You can аlsо seе the сape with bοat cruisе but the feеling is not the sаme. On your waу tо the cаpе, apprοximately 4 km beforе yоu reасh the lighthοusе, уou will pass by the small оld mοnаstery of Agios Niкоlaοs. From the mоnastеry, аnοther dirt road gоes dοwn to thе east pаrt оf the capе where уοu will find a smаll isolatеd beaсh. The bеach is а pebbly сove hiddеn betweеn the cliffs and surrоunded οnlу by grеenery, with transpаrеnt blue water. It eithеr has no nаme оr it is knοwn only tо the lοcals.
Santa Maura
The old castle of Agia Mavra (or known as Santa Maura) is located directly at the entrance of Lefkada island.
You will find this important historical sight of Lefkada next to the interesting pontoon bridge, on its eastern side. Castle of Agia Mavra is the largest medieval castle in the area, which remained in a fairly good condition. If you arrive to Lefkada from the direction of Greek mainland, you will meet with its strong walls just before you drives through the pontoon bridge.
History of Agia Mavra
The first walls of the castle were built by the Sicilian governor Giovanni Orsini, to protect the island and its surrounding area from the pirates. After a few years, in 1294 the island became a property of Franks. Around 1300 Lefkada town became more important and it was dedicated as the economical center of Lefkada island, so a stronger fort was a neccessary solution against pirates and invaders. Initially the area of Agia Mavra was much smaller than today, but it has been rebuilt and expanded several times with barracks, administrative buildings, cisterns, and storage rooms.
At the beginning of 15th century Ottomans occupied the area, they have built a mosque and a small bridge inside the walls of the castle. Turks ruled over Agia Mavra until 17th century, when Venetians took control over the island, under the command of Francesco Morosini. Lefkada became a Venetian province. The Venetians increased the area of the fortress, even strengthened its walls. You can still see the main symbol of Venice, the Lion of Saint Mark in many places.
In 1888 a large fire destroyed several buildings inside, but only a few of them have been rebuilt after disaster.
What to see by a visit of Agia Mavra (Santa Maura) in Lefkada
The castle is well preserved today, due to its strong and thick walls, which has been strenghtened for centuries. The Venetian fort of Lefkada is protected by a narrow canal, and the small bridge which leads to the main entrance of Agia Mavra is located at the west side of the building, directly next to the pontoon bridge. If you enter the castle and walk around, you will meet a tiny chapel called Agia Mavra, which was built in the 15th century. Inside the walls you can find ruins of medieval buildings, Turkish and Venetian ruins both.
Next to the entrance of Agia Mavra there is a modern lighthouse, which is working today as well. In Lefkada there are only two important lighthouses, the other can be seen in the south, by visiting the picturesque Cape Doukato.
Don’t be surprised when you will meet archeologists and excavations inside the walls of Agia Mavra, because sometimes restoration works and excavations are still in progress.
Faneromeni Monastery
The sacred monastery of Lefkada with its beautiful gardens was built on a hill, next to the capitol. Faneromeni Monastery (Moni Faneromeni) is the most famous monastery in Lefkada island, preserving several invaluable icons, paintings, carvings, handwritten manuscripst and other religious relics.
Legends said that in ancient times there was built a marble temple dedicated to Artemis, goddess of hunt, forests and animals. In the Greek mythology Artemis was described as a daughter of Zeus. Two thousands years ago Apostle Paul sent three of his students to Lefkada island to spread Christianity, and one of them was built a church, over the ruins of an ancient marble temple. The founder of the church, Sosion became the first bishop of Lefkada island.
Over the centuries Faneromeni Monastery was many times rebuilt, because fires and eartquakes have destroyed the buildings several times. Nowadays the monastery is surrounded by a well-kept beautiful garden with dozens of grapes, geraniums, pines and other lush vegetation.
The monastery also has an Ecclesiastical Museum, Nautical Museum and a Mini Zoo.
The name “Faneromeni” comes from the Greek word “Fanerono (Φανερώνω)”, which means “reveal”.
Profitis Ilias
A tiny church with great panoramic views to the east coastline of Lefkada island.
Profitis Ilias (which is known as Ekklisia Profiti Ilia or Agios Ilias in Greek, and Church of Prophet Elias) is located in the heart of the mountains of Lefkada, the nearest villages are Egklouvi and Karya. The access of the Monastery can be quite difficult for someones, because the road which leads to Profis Ilias Monastery is very narrow (seems as just one lane), the last section is steep and filled with road defects. The visit of this sight is recommended primarily for experienced drivers with smaller cars.
On route to Profitis Ilias, narrow roads and poor road conditions
The unique feature of Profitis Ilias Monastery in Lefkada is its location, because it was built on a top of one of the highest mountains in the island. The small church has a small garden, which has one of the best lookouts to the east coast of Lefkada. You can see the surroundings of Nidri and the small islands on the sea, Lefkada town with the lagoon, and if the weather conditions are good, you can also see Preveza, the airport and the bay of Amvrakikos in the distance. On the road before you reach the small church of Agios Ilias you will meet former NATO bases and radar stations, surrounded by fences.
The celebration of Profitis Ilias Monastery is held on 20th of July in every year.
Archaeological Museum of Lefkada
The Archaeological Museum of Lefkada is housed in the newly-constructed building of the Cultural Centre in Lefkada Town. Its four rooms cover a large chronological period, from the Paleolithic times till the late Roman years.
In the first room, there are exhibits depicting life from the public and private life of the Islanders in the historical times. There are findings related to music, commerce, weaving, coinage, fishery, and farming. The second room is dedicated to the deities of Lefkada, through their presentation in coins and figurines.
The third room is dedicated to the funeral costumes of ancient Lefkada, exhibiting tomb monuments, stone urns and the representation of an ancient cemetery. The fourth room is dedicated to the memory of the famous archaeologist William Dorpfeld, who performed many excavations on the island and has been buried in Lefkada. In this last room, visitors can see items from the Paleolithic and Neolithic period, including weaponry, vessels and various kind of tools.
Dimosari Waterfalls in Nidri
Just three kilometers west of Nidri village, a wonder of nature has formed over the years. Dimosari Waterfalls are part of Dimosari gorge and provide an oasis of freshness and calm within the island of Lefkada. Even on the hottest day, temperatures here rarely climb above what is considered as cool. Due to their proximity to the vibrant Nidri village, you are most welcome to combine a visit there and explore this remarkable natural landscape at the same time.
The footpath taking you to the waterfalls is quite gentle, without steep rocks getting in the way. It only takes twenty minutes to reach the end of the trail. There you will find yourself surrounded by this heavenly bliss of green. The transparent waters flow from the mountain to the small natural pool, giving you the chance to swim and enjoy even more. Just be mindful, as the water will probably be ice-cold! If you feel daunted by that, you can as easily gaze at the scenery sitting on the welcoming rocks. Tall plane and pine trees provide their generous shade, completing the atmosphere idyllically.
Schedule a picnic by the waterfall or choose to enjoy a cold beverage at the café, on the entrance of the path. You will be glad to know there is no admission fee for this natural attraction of Lefkada. Just make sure you leave no waste behind, since it is a place of significant environmental value. Although it is open all day long, you are encouraged to visit Dimosari waterfalls early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Water will flow more and there will probably be no crowds for you to come across.
Discover Lefkada and its marvelous natural treasures, such as that of Dimosari waterfalls. Because the island of Lefkada is so much more than the spectacular beaches and the crystalline waters!
Saint Nicholas Monastery
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Sacred Nira
The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas is located at the periphery of the village Athani, on the peninsula the Sacred Nira (as the locals pronounce it). The name of the region has probably derived from the pagan temple of Apollo on the steep cape of Lefkada. The monastery was built around the 17th century by the Robotis families, Katzigianni, Chriti, Koutsantoni, Bogordou, Zacharatos and Kamidavli, who donated several estates to the monastery.
The monastery functioned under the patronage of private law, ie. the administrators of the monastery were the families of the founders, who every two years elected two or more administrators, and the abbot and vicar of the Monastery. Many times the Monastery of St. Nicholas, because of inaccessible location, was used as a place of exile clergy.
In the late 19th century significant restoration works were conducted under the supervision of active abbot of the monastery, monk Pangratio Katopodi. Today it is considered an active monastery in the church administration committee. The monastery celebrates every year on May 10th, to commemorate the passing of the Holy relics of St. Nicholas through Lefkada, when taken from Myra, Lycia to Bari, Italy.
Angelos Sikelianos
Museum
The Sikelianos house, which accommodates the homonym museum, was purchased by the National Bank of Greece in 2009. It was renovated and formed into a pioneering museum that was donated to the Municipality of Lefkada and was inaugurated on October 6, 2017.
It is a special museum that not only exhibits memorabilia of the Alafroískïotos1 poet but also makes the visitor travel into every aspect of his life and work through a pioneering architectural and museological approach, work of a group of distinguished scientists.
In its space someone can find exhibits related to the life and work of Sikelianos, which were donated by significant museums, collectors and institutions from all over Greece.
In the museum there are special exhibits such as Anna’s wedding dress and woven fabrics, hand-made clothes that Eva weaved for herself and for the Delphic Festivals, her passport, her braid of deep red hair, rare editions and manuscripts, correspondence between Angelos and Eva, photographic material, films and recorded recitations in the voice of the poet himself.
1Alafroískïotos= The Light-Shadowed (Sikelianos’ first collection of poems of 1909)