Around Lassi: from the city to the Tilegrafos, to the lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi, to the sinkholes and back to the city The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: circular Route’s duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes Route’s length: 7,300 meters Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route: It is an urban course in the city and in the wider area of Argostoli. The march starts from the central square of Argostoli and after crossing the Napier Park, we ascend the hill of Tilegrafos with the panoramic view of the city of Argostoli. The uphill road, which is asphalt at the beginning, passes the borders of the built area of the city and the nature of Tilegrafos, and after following it - making the necessary "hairpin bend" (turn) - we reach the dirt road and the heart of the hill. We continue the gentle ascent through the hill and in a short while we reach the viewpoint, from where we gaze at the bay of Argostoli, with Lixouri in front of us, while at our feet we can see the area of Lassi and Piniatoro. We continue our course through the hill, until we reach the monument to the Fallen Italians of the Acqui Division. From this point, we descend from the asphalt towards the sea, through a beautiful area with houses, gardens and a view of the bay. Reaching the coast we continue north until we reach the iconic lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi. From the lighthouse we head east having the Fanari beach next to it, and after about seven hundred meters, we reach the famous katavothres (sinkholes) and the facilities that surround them. Actually, from the Katavothres our return to the town centre starts, where most of the way to and from the marina is by a beautifully landscaped pedestrian/cycle path. From the cruise ship pier - where the tourist information office is located - we turn off Israel Street leaving the beach. At the Radicals monument, we follow the avenue of the same name, which will take us to the starting point at the main square. The dirt road to Tilegrafos does not present any particular difficulties, so the whole route can be done by car and is therefore suitable for people with disabilities. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Argostoli Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and the largest city of the island, with a population of 9,748 permanent residents, according to the last census (2011). It is built on the hills around the lagoon of Koutavos. The area has been inhabited since 1600. In 1757 the Venetian rulers of Kefalonia decided to move the capital of the island, which until then was the Castle of Agios Georgios, to Argostoli. The town of Argostoli was the scene of some of the most important historical moments of the whole island, such as the burning of the 'Golden Bible', the Libro d'Oro, in the square of Campana, which put an end to the discrimination between the nobility and the people. But also, one of the most important battles between the rebellious Kefalonians and the English garrison, in 1849, was fought on the city's De Bosset stone bridge. The town of Argostoli, before the devastating earthquakes of 1953, had buildings of great architectural value, both public and private, with many Western European influences. Today the heart of the city beats around the central square and between Lithostrotou and Siteboron street, where we will find museums, a library, statues, theatres, neoclassical buildings, but also many shops, cafes and bars.  Napier Gardens Napier Gardens is a park created during the English rule, in the early 19th century, and is located near the central square of Argostoli. It takes its name from its founder, the Governor of Kefalonia, Charles James Napier, who bought a vineyard in the area then called "Koutoupi" and turned it into an elevated park for his children to play in. The park remained in the possession of the Napier family until 1905, when the Municipality of Argostoli managed to acquire it and turn it into a municipal grove of the city and a place of leisure and entertainment, as it remains until today. At that time, the Municipality made many important interventions in the area, such as shaping the ground, planting, placing water pipes, constructing a pavilion, placing seats. Napier Street was also landscaped in the same year. The bust of Napier was created in 1906 by the sculptor Ioannis Kokkinos, when it was placed within the garden. During the German occupation, the garden was severely damaged. This was followed by the earthquakes, the long-term abandonment of the Garden and only under the mayorate of Gerasimos Forte the restoration of the historic Garden was carried out (2003-2004), with funding from the 3rd Community Support Framework. It was beautified with various plants, new benches were installed and in ten places signs with bilingual historical texts and rich photographic material were erected to guide and inform the visitor. Today the garden has regained its former glamour and popularity. Walking along the pebbled paths of the lush park, with its landscaped paths and event areas, the visitor can see the Iroo of Argostoli, the work of the sculptor G. Bonanos, erected in 1927, the bust of the founder of the garden and a kiosk, built today, like the original one.  Tilegrafos The so-called "Tilegrafos" was an optical signal office on the hill of Ai Thanasis, above Argostoli at the site "Koutsomylos". At this point the view is panoramic to the sea. From here, we can see at a distance of several kilometers, if a boat approaches Argostoli. In front of us, we have both the bay of Livadi (Lixouri) and the bay of Argostoli with the port. In "Tilegrafos" there was a huge cross-shaped tower, wooden at the beginning, constructed in 1850, which later became metallic. From this cross, they hung flags that served as a signal to the harbour, according to a system of suspensions they had devised. In this way, the type of ship, its position and where it was going were determined precisely and every half an hour. Of course, the Tilegrafos had its keeper, who was the only person responsible for sending a signal with the flags. During the English rule, he was an English officer of the Argostoli guard. With the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece (1864), Tilegrafos passed into Greek hands and was operated by the military forces that had settled in Argostoli. In 1916-17, during the occupation of the island by the French forces, the "Tilegrafos" was used for the communication of the French ships and was manned by their own personnel. Tilegrafos stopped flying flags in 1940. The permanent end came with the earthquakes of 1953. Although Tilegrafos is a monument to local navigation, today it is completely abandoned. All that remains is the "hole" where the huge metal cross used to be. Monument to the Italian Fallen of the Acqui Division At the top of the hill, in Fanari, on the outskirts of Argostoli, is the Monument to the Fallen Italians. There is a white cross and next to it the inscriptions, which in Greek and Italian remind visitors of the horrors of war and the sacrifice of the Italian soldiers of the Acqui Division. The Monument was built in 1978. It was the Acqui Division, consisting of 12,000 men in total, that occupied Kefalonia in April 1940. Kefalonia, like the rest of the Ionian Islands, became an Italian protectorate. In July 1943, the fascist Italian government of Mussolini fell and a few days later, a regiment of the German army landed in Kefalonia. On September 8, 1943, Italy concluded an armistice with our Anglo-American allies. Immediately, the German administration asked the administration of the Acqui Division to surrender their weapons in the central square of Argostoli, in exchange for the safe return of all Italian soldiers to their country. Negotiations did not lead to an agreement, and so on 15 September the fighting began, during which 1,300 Italian soldiers were killed, mainly by German air force. On 22 September the commander of the Acqui Division asked for the surrender of its soldiers to the Germans. However, thousands of Italians were executed by the Germans in the following days, violating all international treaties concerning prisoners of war. The German administration forbade the burying of Italian soldiers, whose bodies were burned or thrown into the sea. Many Italians were saved, thanks to the help of the Kefalonians, who in many cases paid for their humanitarianism with harsh reprisals. Those Italians who escaped the massacre were forced to cooperate with the Germans, and those who refused were sent to the forced labour camps, where most of them died. When, in September 1944, the Germans were forced to leave Kefalonia, those Italians who had survived were able to return home with their weapons and flags. Every year a ceremony is held at the Memorial of Fallen Italians, attended by representatives of Italy and Greece. The Lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi The lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi is located in the area of Lassi, near Argostoli in Kefalonia. It takes its name from the chapel of Agioi Theodoroi which is located nearby. It is a unique circular structure, based on 20 white Doric columns, while its tower is 8 metres high. The peculiarity of its shape is due to a happy coincidence: there was a windmill in the area. The builders, in an attempt to save materials, constructed a circular staircase in the middle of the tower and a series of columns around it to support the structure, mainly because of the earthquakes that were strong in the area. It was built in 1828 by the English, when Charles Napier was in command. The height of the tower is 8 metres and the focal height is 11 metres. It was destroyed in the 1953 earthquakes and rebuilt in 1964 by Takis Pavlatos, a Kefalonian architect, according to the original 1828 English architectural plan. It was incorporated into the Greek lighthouse network in 1863, with the attachment of the Ionian Islands. In 1995 it was declared a listed building by the Ministry of Culture. It not only provides a directional light for incoming and outgoing ships, but is also a classic, romantic spot for locals and visitors. Katavothres (The sinkholes) One of the most important geological phenomena observed in Kefalonia, the sinkholes, have occupied scientists around the world and have been considered another "mystery" of the island. At the cape of Agioi Theodoroi, next to the lighthouse of Argostoli, we can still see today the point where the sea water flows with momentum into the ground. This is exactly what a "sinkhole" is: a crack in the ground, into which water flows. It seems that the English Stevens was the first to observe and record the phenomenon, and he even decided to use the momentum of the water as it was lost in the sinkholes and built a watermill at this point, which still exists. Katavothres' most interesting thing though, is that water runs below the entire island, from west to east, a distance of about 15 kilometres: In 1963, geologists Viktor Maurin and Josef Zetl from the Technical University of Graz, Austria, poured 160 kilos of dye into one of the Katavothres. Two weeks later traces of this dye appeared in the waters on the other side of the island, in the bay of Sami, in Karavomilos and in the Melissani cave! The majority of the phenomena associated with the groundwater of Kefalonia can be explained, according to geologists, by the position of the island at the junction of the tectonic plates of the 

Cephalonian Fir Abies cephalonica is a Greek endemic species, growing naturally only in Greece. It was first described as a new species by the English botanist JW Loudon in 1838. This together with its phytogeographical importance were the main reasons Mt.Aenos was declared a National Forest in 1962.

The site streches from Agios Nikolaos Bay, NA Zakynthos, to Marathias Cape, S. Zakynthos. The steep west coast of the island is actually the foot of Brachionas Mount. The coastal line is dominated by vertical seaside cliffs, descending abruptly into the sea, with a vegetation of shrubs and phrygana. The rest of the area consists of rocky hills partly occupied by Pinus halepensis forests, and partly degraded and covered by shrubs or phrygana. Cultivated areas also occur.Falco eleonorae population values are based on LIFE - Nature se pstasa a t apett Falco eleonorae st da (LIFE03 NAT/GR/000091). Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

From the beach to the lake: Kavos - Panagia Monastery - Moschopoulos Lake - Kavos The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: circular Route’s duration: 2 hours Route’s length: 6,400 m Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it The route: The route starts from the outskirts of the settlement from a three-way road on the way to Spartera. The route is heading south on the asphalt road which we leave at the first crossroads (about 100 meters later) and head south towards the road, which becomes dirt on the way. The road is driveable but with many problems and is not recommended for public vehicles especially after the junction for the beach of Arkoudila. We continue eastwards, where after crossing a plateau we head towards the ruins of the monastery. The route is smooth, with adequate shade and very beautiful views of southern Corfu and the Ionian Sea, up to the imposing ruins of the Monastery of Panagia. From this point the road becomes a gentle downhill path through lush and completely shaded surroundings. The smooth downhill continues until the trail crosses the side stream, the crossing of which is not a difficult task because it is quite narrow and without much water. From the creek onwards the trail becomes uphill and in the last small part (before the road) it becomes very steep and requires increased attention. After the junction with the road, which leads to the beach, the path continues gently uphill without any problem until the top of the hills that offer excellent views of South Corfu and the Ionian Sea. From here, a smooth downhill path begins until the artificial lake of Moschopoulos. Once we approach the lake it is recommended to follow the southern route over the lake as it offers excellent views towards it. From the lake and beyond, a dirt road, which later becomes asphalt, the road leads to the starting point of the trail. On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi. Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi. Numerous private clinics, medical centres and pharmacies, as well as public health structures (from north to south): the Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, the Acharavi Regional Medical Centre, the Agios Athanasios Health Centre, the Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, and the Lefkimmi Health Centre. Arkoudilas Arkoudilas is a forest area of southern Corfu. It is located above Cape Asprokavos or Cavo Bianco. The name Arkoudilas was probably taken from the bear tree that abounded in the area and not from bears, which are unlikely to have been present in the area. Another version tells us that the name probably came from a corruption of the word Akrodilon, which was the name of Cape Asprokavos in ancient times. The forest of Arkoudila occupies an area of about 250 acres with very rich vegetation (cypresses, skinnias, arbutus, etc.). During the Venetian occupation it was given to the Quartano family by the Venetian Senate as a tithe. Monastery of Panagia The Monastery of Panagia Arkoudila is built in the forest and on the top of the hill. The monastery includes the katholikon, built in 1700, according to the carved coat of arms on the bell tower. The bell tower of the church is baroque style and follows the type of Corfiot church architecture. On the right side of the bell tower there is a wall (Mantra) and on the left side there is a kind of fortification (battlements). Then as an extension of the enclosure there is a two-storey turreted building called DURIS, probably from the English TOR, which means tower. It is located in such a position that it served as a fortress and protected the area from raids by pirates and other invaders. The upper part of the DURI was, as is evident from its construction, the living quarters of the owners or monks, and had a fireplace. The ascent and descent was made by a stone staircase, and there was a wooden catapult protecting it. The ground floor was used as a food store. On the eastern side of the tower, on the upper floor and next to the fireplace, there was a secret tunnel with steps leading to the beach under the hill, apparently for the evacuation and rescue of the monastery's inhabitants in case of danger. On the north-western side there was a two-storey building with a two-sided staircase construction (Botso), which was the main entrance. The building was used for the accommodation of pilgrims on the day of the celebration of the 15th of August (Assumption of the Virgin Mary), which was celebrated by the monastery, and as the owners' residence. On the north side of the church there is an old stone well. The Monastery of Arkoudila today is ruined and abandoned. Kavos Kavos is a seaside settlement at the outermost point of Corfu, in Lefkimmi, at a distance of about 45km from the town. It was the cavo bianco of the Venetian period, literally the white cape. Off its beach, between Corfu and the mainland coast, the famous naval battle between the Corinthians and Athenians in the Peloponnesian War took place. Kavos is today a tourist destination. Some years ago there were only a few houses among olive trees, few inhabitants and nothing else. Today it is one of the most touristic places in Corfu. It is distinguished for its intense nightlife and as a popular destination. It has an equipped beach with shallow clear waters. From Kavos one can make daily excursions to Sivota of Thesprotia, Paxos or even Parga. The beach of Arkoudila stretches just below, with access from a dirt road in the Kavos area, while we can also go from its western side to the spot where the locals call it Mikronisi. They are essentially two beaches joined together where they are separated by only a small rock with an arch in the middle. The landscape is magnificent, there are wonderful geological formations of clay deposits, wildly eaten by the elements landscape with precipitated slopes, bushes on the edge of the hill but also a great biodiversity, from ants, butterflies, turtles, scorpions, snakes, insects, as well as turtles Caretta - Caretta.

From Agioi Deka to the top: Agioi Deka - Monastery of Pantokratoras     The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.     Route’s type: linear (the beginning and the end of the route coincide) Route’s duration: 45 minutes Route’s length: 1.900 metres Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it     The route: The route starts from the statue of Gerasimos Zochios, ascending many stairs to the west, through the beautiful houses of the settlement. After passing the church of Agioi Deka, we continue uphill and after a while we come across a modern well-maintained paved road that leads us to a parking area of the settlement. Those walkers who want to avoid climbing the steps can start the route from this point. From the parking area we take the path which at the beginning is very steep and rough and needs some attention. Then we meet a concrete road, from where we continue uphill and after about 100 metres we meet the path again. The path continues uphill, but more gently this time, where somewhere in the middle of the path, which is left, there is an organized rest area (bench with a table), in the trees. The trail offers great views of northern Corfu, through the dense vegetation, and is very well marked (perhaps a bit too much) with yellow and white lines as well as signs. The route ends at the monastery of Pantokratoras, where, apart from the church and the other well-preserved buildings, there is an organised rest area with tables and benches. The return is by the same path, unless someone has planned to have a car waiting for them in the area of the monastery (the road to the monastery from the settlement requires attention because it is narrow, but easy, without being difficult. Also as a linear route, if not done back and forth, it can be done in the opposite direction, from the monastery to the settlement.   On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi. Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi. Numerous private medical offices, medical centres and pharmacies, while public health structures exist (from north to south), Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, Acharavi Regional Medical Centre, Agios Athanasios Health Centre, Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, Lefkimmi Health Centre.   Monastery of Pantokratoras The Monastery of Pantokratoras is built at an altitude of 580 m, on the slope of Mount Agioi Deka or Galisio Mount, as it was formerly called. It is located 3 km west of the village of Agioi Deka in Corfu. Since 1545 it has been mentioned as Pantokratoras or the temple of the 'Great Pantokrator in the Galisio Mountain of the Ascension'. In the area of the now abandoned monastery, the church of Pantokratoras and the chapel of Profitis Ilias to the west of the church can be seen. The church is rectangular, one-roomed, with a sloping roof and a wide, arched entrance. On the Sunday of Mirofores, a resurrection litany is held, which ends at the church of Pantokratoras. Agioi Deka Agioi Deka is located on the eastern side of the homonymous mountain, in central Corfu, 11 km from Corfu Town. They have 374 inhabitants (2011 census).  It is a beautiful Corfiot settlement with many traditional houses, two and three-storey, without balconies, but with external staircases, which you can find going up the cobbled streets of the village. We will also come across several churches: the church of Panagia Odigitria, the main church of the village, the church of Agioi Deka (probably the first of the village, of Cretan origin) of Agios Spyridon, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Iakovos and Agios Stylianos. The history of the village of Agioi Deka is directly linked to Crete. When the Arabs occupied Crete in the 9th century, many of the island's inhabitants fled and emigrated to various regions of Greece. They also arrived in Corfu, bringing with them the icon of the Ten Saints, who were martyred in Crete during the period of persecution by the Roman Emperor Decius. They settled in this place and built the settlement. Agioi Deka is also mentioned in written sources of 1503. The inhabitants are called Agiokadites, from an abbreviation of Agiodekadites. In 1877, the poet and writer Oscar Wilde, travelling to Corfu, climbed the mountain and dedicated his poem of the same name to the enchanting region: “The Gods are dead: no longer do we bring to grey-eyed Pallas crowns of olive-leaves! Demeter’s child no more hath tithe of sheaves……»  

Round of Kryoneri: Solomos Square - Kokkinos Vrahos (Red Rock) - Roman Aqueduct - Strani Hill - Jewish Cemetery - Kyra ton Aggelon The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: circular Route’s duration: approximately 2 hours Route’s length: 6,800 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. In summer, avoid midday hours. The route: This is essentially an urban route through a large part of the city of Zakynthos. The path starts from Solomos Square and heads north towards Kryoneri from the coastal road. The road passes in front of the Romas mansion where in the past the wealthy villas had repara (private harbours), while, in parallel, we can admire the Ionian Sea and the Peloponnese coast in the background. Leaving the town to the west (on our left) we see the Kokkinos Vrahos (Red Rock) from the famous novel by Xenopoulos and after a beautiful, relaxing coastal route we reach the site of the old Roman aqueduct and shortly afterwards the chapel of Panagia Kryoneritissa. This point has a beautiful view of the Ionian Sea, where when it is clear, we can see, apart from the coast of the Peloponnese, the coast of Western Greece and Kefalonia. From this point we ascend towards the west. The route requires increased caution because for a distance of about 1,200 metres we walk on a narrow asphalt road with increased car traffic, especially in summer. After crossing Kryoneri with its interesting buildings, we find ourselves in an olive grove with old olive trees and at the junction to Bochali we turn south, continuing in the same environment but with considerably less car traffic and more shady places. Then and to the west we come across the beautifully landscaped hill of Strani, one of the favourite places of our national poet, and we descend towards the town where we are again on a road with increased car traffic. About five hundred (500) meters later and to the south (on our left) we come across a small road that leads us to Agios George Filikon and then to the Jewish cemetery. A visit here will be very rewarding for the visitor.  Leaving Agios George Filikon and the Jewish cemetery, we continue downhill towards the town where at the stairs to the east (on our left) we leave the road and descend to the town's cantinas with their small post-quake houses. Our route leads us to the back of the Roma mansion next to which is the beautiful and old church of Kyria ton Aggelon. The march ends where we started, at Solomos Square. As a circular route the walker can also do it in reverse from the suggested route. A large part of the route can also be done by car. On the island of Zakynthos there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south) of Alykes, Zakynthos Town, Machairado and Pantokratoras. Police Station in Katastari and General Police Directorate in Zakynthos Town. A number of private clinics, medical centres and pharmacies and public health facilities are located in Zakynthos Town, General Hospital, and a Health Centre in Kallithea. Solomos Square Solomos Square is the central square of the town of Zakynthos. It is named after the national poet of Greece Dionysios Solomos. A statue of the poet dominates the square. In the place where the square is currently located, there used to be a sea, which was filled in during the expansion of the city after the earthquake. Many impressive buildings are located around it, such as the church of Agios Nikolaos, which was rebuilt in 1561 and is one of the three buildings that survived the 1953 earthquake, the Post-Byzantine Museum, the Museum of Kalvos and Eminent Zakynthians and the Cultural Centre of Zakynthos which houses the library, galleries, periodical exhibitions and the town's cinema. The square is very lively and is a favourite meeting point for Zakynthians and visitors of all ages. Kokkinos Vrachos (Red Rock)  At the southern beginning of the steep Akrotiri beach, on the edge of Zakynthos town, stands the cliff of Kokkinos Vrachos. The area is distinguished for its particular natural beauty and has been classified by the Ministry of Culture as a historical monument. Here we will find very interesting buildings, such as the tower of the lighthouse, the church of Kryoneritissa, the church Koimisis tis Theotokou and the spring of drinking water, which is mentioned from the 16th century. The place became known nationwide from the novel by the Zakynthian writer, Grigorios Xenopoulos, 'The Red Rock'.  The Venetian Aqueduct of Kryoneri It is one of the few historical buildings of Zakynthos Town. It was built in the 16th century and renovated in 1736 by the Venetian official Antonius Reynario of the house of Renier, according to an inscription on the monument itself. The building was also restored recently, in the 1990s.  Its floor plan is defined as rectangular with dimensions of 3.90x3.45x4 metres and is quadrilateral. It has a vaulted tank where the water used to flow down through the network of underground tunnels that ran through the Kokkinos Vrachos (Red Rock) mountain. The front of the fortress has three lion heads of exceptional aesthetics that frame the fountains. The stone-built aqueduct supplied the whole town of Zakynthos with water and was in operation until the earthquake of 1953. Strani Hill It is located on the road of Bochali, from which a narrow paved road starts, which leads us to the hill of Strani, passing through some olive trees. Crossing the gate we find ourselves in a park with many levels, among pine and olive trees. Here, according to tradition, the national poet of Greece, Dionysios Solomos, sitting in the shade of a holly tree, wrote the Hymn to Freedom, listening to the cannons across from Messolonghi. The column with the bust of the poet stands today in the place of the old bullpen. In front of the column, the sculpture depicts "Eleftheria" (freedom), moving forward with momentum and holding a sword in her right hand. At the place where the root of the holly once stood the marble plaque was placed which says "SOLOMOS IMNOS IS TIN ELEFTHERIAN TON MAION 1823". Part of the trunk of the old holly tree is today at the entrance of the Solomos and Kalvos Museum. Agios Georgios Filikon Just outside the town of Zakynthos, on the road to Bochali, we find the chapel of Agios Georgios Filikon. Zakynthos was the base of the Filiki Eteria (Society of Friends) and the members of the Society were sworn in at the chapel. Built in the 17th century by the noble family of Georgios Latinos, it was destroyed during the earthquakes of 1893, later rebuilt, destroyed again during the earthquakes of 1953 and immediately rebuilt. In an adjacent cell, which no longer exists due to the earthquakes, the initiation of the fighters of the National Revolt was held by the Epirus refugee priest Anthimos Argyropoulos. Passing through the gate, inside the courtyard you can see the bust of the hero of the 1821 Revolution, Theodoros Kolokotronis. In the simple interior of the church there is a table (copy) of the main initiated members of the Society of Friends during the years 1819 and 1821. The icon of the Deesis, in which the oath of the Friends was taken, is in the Museum of Post-Byzantine Art of Zakynthos. Jewish Cemetery Leaving from the chapel of Agios Georgios Filikon, we can visit the nearby Jewish Cemetery, at Rouveli, which dates back to the 15th century and includes rabbinical graves and tombs of great historical importance. The last of the community to be buried in the Jewish Cemetery of Zakynthos was in 1954. The Ionian island of Zakynthos bears strong traces of Jewish tradition. In 1522 there were 30 Jewish families living on the island and a synagogue was operating. Until 1712, the community had two synagogues: the "Zakynthian" and the "Cretan", which was named after the Jews of Crete who settled on the island after the conquest of Crete by the Ottomans in 1669. The former was severely damaged by the 1953 earthquake, and the latter synagogue is now completely destroyed. During the German Occupation, the Germans asked the Mayor of the island, Loukas Karrer, and Metropolitan Chrysostomos for a list of the Jews of Zakynthos. Both refused and in response to pressure from the occupiers, they drafted a document with their own two names! At the same time they had already evacuated their Jewish fellow citizens to the outlying villages of the island. Expressing their gratitude, the Jews of Greece erected a monument to the memory of these two brave men on the site of the old synagogue. The traveler can visit the monument at 44 Tertsetis Street. Kyra ton Aggelon It is a beautiful, stone, picturesque chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in 1687 by the guild of notaries. It was destroyed by the earthquakes of 1953 but was soon restored keeping its original form. Externally we can observe relief representations of the Virgin Mary and angels carved on the stone walls. In the bell tower there are two stone slabs with reliefs of a bicephalic eagle and the Archangel Michael, embedded from earlier times. The iconostasis is dominated by an icon made by Panagiotis Doxaras. The church is built in the centre of the province of Zakynthos and is celebrated on the 21st of November.  During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at Solomos Square at the municipal cinema, b) on the coastal road at the entrance to the plaza, c) at the parking area / view of Panagia Kryoneritisa, d) at the junction to Bochali and Strani Hill, e) at the entrance to the landscaped area at Strani Hill, f) at the alleyway to the Aegirgios of the Friends and the Jewish cemetery, g) at the stairs to the town, h) at the square of the Roma Mansion next to Panagia ton Aggelon.

In Ancient Sami: Sami - Antisamos - Acropolis - Sami The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: circular Route’s duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes Route’s length: 8,000 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather conditions permitting. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route The route starts from the centre of Sami where we head along the coast, and after passing the harbour, we follow a north-easterly direction until we meet the asphalt road leading to the popular beach of Antisamos. We continue our slightly uphill path from the main asphalt road with a beautiful view of northern Kefalonia and the strait of Kefalonia - Ithaca, where after a beautiful and relaxing asphalt track of about three kilometers, we arrive at the point where we enjoy an uninterrupted view of the bay and the beach of Antisamos, Psili Rachi and Mytikas. From this point, we descend to the organized and beautiful beach of Antisamos with its clear waters and bars (in summer it is recommended to bring your swimsuit). At the beginning of the beach, where the bus stop is located at the bend in the road, the path starts. Its start is not very distinct due to the various signs that are present. The path is marked with two lines, blue and white, and proceeds easily, first past a wire fence of some property and then uphill, in a shady environment at first, between Skala and Ambelaki, the two hills of the area. As you climb the vegetation becomes lower and lower so that when you reach the top of the junction there are few shadows. At the junction we have two options: a) either to continue on our way to Agios Fanentes, b) or to do this, but after first visiting the site of the acropolis of ancient Sami, located to the west. The acropolis site dominates the hill of Skala, which is practically opposite us. After the acropolis, we head south towards Agios Fanentes and the ruins of the old monastery. Along the way the view towards Sami and the strait of Kefalonia - Ithaca is excellent. From Agios Fanentes the nature of the route changes. The path becomes narrow and downhill and needs attention. The signposting remains the same (blue and white line), while as we descend the environment becomes increasingly overgrown and shady. After a quite steep descent, in about 900 meters we go down about 200 meters of altitude (average gradient 22%), we reach the upper side of Sami, where through Priamos Street, we reach the point from where we started our route. The duration of the march is about two and a half hours, not counting the stops - visits of the various sights of the route (Antisamos, Acropolis of Sami, etc.). As a circular route, it can also be done from the reverse of the proposed direction, which is not recommended, because in this case the initial ascent from Sami to the ruins of the monastery is steeply uphill. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Sami Sami is the largest town in eastern Kefalonia and an important port of the island, as it is the daily connection with Patras, Astakos and Ithaca. It is also a popular tourist destination. According to the 2011 census, it has 1,025 inhabitants  It has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In ancient times it was one of the four largest cities that made up the Kefalonian quadrilateral. Nature has been particularly generous to the area of Sami, as it is surrounded by lush vegetation, underground caves and beautiful lakes. Antisamos  It is the bay next to the port of Sami, to the east. Antisamos is a pebbly beach, long and wide, with waters that look green, reflecting the environment around the bay: green hills and mountains, covered with holly and cypress trees. For this reason, it is also known as the mirror beach. On the opposite side, the blue sea meets the equally green southern part of Ithaca. Antisamos became the setting for some of the most important and impressive scenes of the Hollywood production "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", which was filmed in Kefalonia in the summer of 2000 and was shown in cinemas all over the world, making the area famous.  Acropolis of Sami Perched on Mount Lapitha, the Ancient Acropolis of Sami offers a panoramic view of the homonymous port. With a history dating back to the Palaeolithic period, ancient Sami was a walled city, an autonomous and sovereign state with its own currency. The origins of the city-state can be traced back to the Geometric period. It was a prosperous city, with many inhabitants, due to its developed trade. Its two acropolises, the extensive fortification and the classical city occupy two hills, at the sites of 'Paleokastro' and 'Agii Fanentes', which are located east of the modern settlement of Sami. In 188 BC, after a four-month siege, it was occupied by the Romans and experienced its second period of prosperity. It acquired public buildings, baths and public works, while its private residences are very luxurious with mosaic floors. Its four cemeteries yield rich and impressive finds. Monastery of Agii Fanentes Within the walls of the acropolis of the classical city of Sami, the monastery of Agii Fanentes was built before 1264, when it was first officially mentioned. The name of the monastery, from which the hill it was built on was renamed, Agii Fanentes, seems to have been derived from a corruption of Agii Neophanis, the saints of Sami, Theodore, Gregory and Leo. According to another version , the name of the monastery is related to the 2nd century AD gnostic philosopher Epiphanis, who was venerated as a god in Sami.  Although the ruins date back to the post-Byzantine period, during which it was renovated (1633), built-in architectural elements in the Catholic Church indicate the existence of a church of the Middle Byzantine period. The complex follows the typical Byzantine layout with the cells arranged in a quadrilateral enclosure and the catholic, free inside. The walls and the incorporation of the ancient fortification tower into the building testify to the need to protect the monastery from pirate attacks, which plagued the island during the Frankish and Venetian periods.  The miraculous icon of Agii Fanentes and the icon of the Virgin Mary Glykofilousas, the so-called "Loutrou ", are located in the new Church of the Virgin Mary in Sami. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at a central point in Sami (Priamou + Akti Miaouli), b) in Sami (port exit), c) on the road to Antisamos (after Loutro beach), d) on the road to Antisamos (at the viewpoint), e) at the start of the path from Antisamos, f) at the end of the path from Antisamos (where it meets the asphalt road), g) at the parking area of the Monastery of Agii Fanentes in Sami, where the path meets the asphalt road

This area lying on the SW coast of the island of Kerkyra (Corfu), is of great importance not only as a wetland but also because of the biological and aesthetic value of the sandy beaches close to the lagoon. At the southern sandy beach, the presence on the island of the unique Juniperus stands and the petrified sand-dunes create an area of great aesthetic value. The site consists of: the Korission Lake (the largest lake in Kerkyra), the surrounding lake and seashores which are charcterized by varied and important Mediterranean vegetation types and the Prasoudi island. Among them are: 1) The cruceanelletum maritimae which has the eastern limits of its distribution range here in the Korission area. This area is also the single locality in Greece from where Crucianella maritima has been reported, and 2) The Juniperous phoencea stands growing on the southern sandy beaches of the area which seem to be the unique remnants of such a forest in the islands of Corfu. The site is also characterized by the petrifed sand-dunes which create an area of great aesthetic value. The most important part of the site is that separating the sea from Korission Lake (between Garziki Point and the beginning of Agios Georgios beach). This is a complex, interesting and almost unaltered ecosystem, one of the few remaining natural ecosystems in Corfu which has not been greatly changed by tourist development. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

The coastal zone starting from the middle of the Kefallinia - Ithaca channel and extending to the SW of Kefallinia (Cape Gero Gompos) and the N. Ithaca (Cape Drakou Pidima) is an important area for the Mediterranean Monk Seal, several ceatacean species and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The zone extends from the 200-isobath to a narrow terrestrial band of 50m width. The site comprises extended Posidonia beds (Posidonion oceanicae) in very good conservation status, large shallow inlets and bays, marine caves and sea cliffs. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.