History and attractions of Kalamos

Histiry

Kalamos is the largest of the small islands located in the area of Lefkada. The dramatic landscape of the island combines high peaks and steep slopes, which are surrounded by the endless blue sea.

The first evidence of human existence on the island dates back to the Neolithic period. Undoubtedly, Kalamos was also inhabited during the Mycenaean and Classical periods. During the Hellenistic period of ancient Greece, the passage from the strait of Kalamos to Mytikas had a special military significance. At first, the strait was controlled through a small citadel built on the crest of Xylokastro and a system of towers in the surrounding area.

Surveillance of the strait was more effectively organized in late Roman times, when a strong castle was built between the settlements of Kalamos and Episkopi. In times of conflict, piracy was a constant problem for the area, and especially during periods of lack of state control, such as the era after the fall of the Byzantine Empire and in 16th and 18th centuries. The Venetians dominated the island, and the economy of Kalamos was controlled by the Delladecim family, which collected tithes. In 1807, the island converted to French.

During the Greece Revolution against the Ottoman Empire, the island was a refuge for families from Epirus, mainland Greece (Sterea Hellas) and the Peloponnese. Many of the revolutionary fighters, such as Karaiskakis, Tzavelas, Lepeniotis and Varnakiotis, settled their families for greater safety on Kalamos, which was under British administration at the time. The persecuted Souliotes found a place to stay in the desolate and inaccessible parts of the island. Subsequently, some of them settled permanently in these places.

The final hours of the siege of Messolonga were also associated with Kalamos. Shortly before the fall of Messolonga in October 1825, when Kiwatichi temporarily recalled his forces, many believed that he would end the siege and remove his families from the island, resulting in a large gathering of people in the city. This caused a serious problem of food shortages. Kalamos again proved to be a welcoming island that took care of all the desperate people from Messolonga who reached the island and sought refuge.

Kalamos was finally integrated as the other Ionian Islands into Greece in 1864.

The village of Kefali, also known as the Venetian settlement of Porto Leone, was abandoned by its inhabitants after the 1953 Ionian Sea earthquake that destroyed the island's water supply. However, the church that survived after the disaster is still in use by the locals.

In the early 1990s, the island's water supply system was restored. In addition, all roads, previously unpaved, have been asphalted or paved with stone. Kalamos, once a remote island without electricity and water supply, now has all modern conveniences.

The nearest lyceum and gymnasium are on the mainland, in Aetolia and Akarnania, but most students go to Nidrion on Lefkas for their studies.

Attractions

Kalamos attracts tourists with its aristocratic beauty, rugged cliffs rising above the blue sea, silent mountains and hills that are densely covered with aromatic pine, laurel and basil groves. At the same time, the villages of Kalamos (not many, you can count them on your fingers) will please their visitors with delicious food, cozy tavernas, picturesque neat houses on the narrow paved streets and friendly locals.

As a tourist destination Kalamos began to develop relatively recently. There are no large crowds of tourists, it is rather a quiet and peaceful island for those who prefer solitude, or at least a couple of days escape from the bustling cities and large companies.

The main tourist center of Kalamos and its capital is the port village of Kalamos, located on the west coast of the island.

Other settlements of Kalamos are the village of Episkopi, as well as the village of Kefali. Today Kefali is deserted due to a severe flood many years ago, but the islanders still visit the local church. In the village Episkopi you will find the ruins of the Byzantine castle Kastro, located on a high hill. The picturesque church of Agios Donatos is also located there, on the hill.

The island has no noisy nightlife, the main evening entertainment for islanders and guests of Kalamos are leisurely dinners in cozy local tavernas. By the way, this is a great opportunity to know the local cuisine, rich in fish dishes and seafood.

As for the beaches of Kalamos, most of them are rocky and stony, the shores are mostly pebbly. Kalamos has two large bays, Gerolimonas and Porto Leone (Porto Leone is the Venetian name of the village Episkopi). The most popular sandy beaches of Kalamos are Firi Ammos, Komponada and Chalkos.