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The king's brave nephew defeated them, conquered the islands and offered them to Kefalos from Attica and Hellius from Argolida. Later, Lefkada was occupied by Kefalines, who participated in the Trojan war, under the command of Ulysses. According to myth, Laertis, Ulysses's father, occupied the town of Niriko and offered the island to Icarius, father of Penelope, after her wedding to Ulysses. In spite of the significant alterations of the island's geography and the inadequacy of historical facts, many archaeologists identify the island with Ulysses's Ithaki, mentioned by Homer. Although there are plenty of legendary facts, the historical information from the works of Homer is very significant, a fact corroborated by archaeological excavations. The German historian Dorpfeld supports this theory and situates the palace of Ulysses on the eastern part of the island, in the current position of Nidri.
I. PRE-HISTORIC - ANCIENT YEARS
According to excavations conducted by the
German archaeologist Dorfeld at Hirospilia in Evgiros and at Asvospilia
in Frini, the first settlements on the island of Lefkada were built during
the Neo-Lithic Era (4th millennium BC) and were preserved in the mycenaean
years. When the first immigrants from Corinth came to the island, in the
7th century BC, the only city on the island was Nirikos, situated on the
current location of Kaligoni, southeast of the island' s capital. After
that, the town of Lefkas was built, while, according to testimonies by
Stravonas, in 650 BC, the construction of the canal, which separates Lefkada
from the mainland, began.
Ever since then people have used a bridge 500 feet long and 125 feet wide to get to either side. During this period, the island of Lefkada thrived. After becoming independent, Lefkada remained under Corinthian influence. The island participated in the Persian Wars, sending three ships for the naval battle of Salamina (480 BC), and 800 men for the battle of Plataies (479 BC), while, in 431 BC, Lefkada participated in the Peloponnesian War, supporting Sparta and Corinth. Later, the island of Lefkada sent ships for the expedition against Sicily. The Macedonians conquered the island when the locals supported the Athenians in their battle against the Macedonians, but in 312 BC, Lefkada regained its freedom.
2. THE ROMAN - BYZANTINE ERA
The Romans intervened for the first time in
the history of Lefkada, in the 3rd century BC, to sever the island's -union
with their rivals, the cities of Akarnanis, which threaten Roman interests.
Later, in 230 BC, Lefkada, supported by the Macedonians, resisted a Roman
attack. Although the locals fought bravely, Lefkada was conquered by the
Roman army of Titus Guintus Flaminius, in 198 BC, after a difficult battle
with severe damage, and it became part of the Roman province of Nikopolis.
During the Roman Rule, significant physical constructions took place on
the island. At the down of the Byzantine Era, Lefkada was part of the province
of Achaia.
In 325 BC, the island participated in the Ecumenical
Convention of Nice, and, 50 years later, a strong earthquake caused severe
damage to Lefkada. Due to the island's significant location, a number of
powerful states attacked Lefkada, which was destroyed by the Hans and the
Vandals, in the 5th century AD. In the next century, Lefkada was included
in the "Scheme of Kefalonia", while in 1103 the Pissates attacked the island
and caused severe damage. During the Crusaders, the island was part of
the Dominion of Epirus.
3. THE FRANK YEARS
After the victory of the Franks in Constantinople, in 1204, the island of Lefkada came under their command and, in 1294, it was offered by the Bishop Nikiforos A' Agelos to the Sicilian Orsini family, as a dowry for the wedding of his daughter to Giovanni Orsini. During the rule of the Orsini family, the fortress of Agia Mavra was built to protect Lefkada from the pirates. After a series of several dynasties which ruled the island, Lefkada, from the command of the Andevages and the Tocci, came under Turkish rule.
4. TURKISH OCCUPATION
After several unsuccessful attempts, the Turkish army, led by Gedouk Ahmet Pasha, finally occupied the island of Lefkada in 1479 AD. The Venetians retook the fortress of Agia Mavra in 1502, only to give it back to the Turks through the signing a treaty a year later. Despite the Venetian attacks in 1572 and 1658, the Turkish Occupation lasted until 1684 AD. During this period, the island was constantly attacked by pirates, often because of Turkish indifference or approval, while the locals lived under severe oppression. The most significant piece of construction of the Turkish Occupation was the island's Aqueduct.
5. RUSSIAN VENETIAN, FRENCH, ENGLISH OCCUPATION
In 1684, under the command of Morozini, the
Venetians occupied the island of Lefkada and liberated the locals from
the Turks. The Venetian Occupation lasted until 1797, while in 1715, for
a single year, the Turks managed to regain the island and massacre the
locals. In the late 17th century, Venice began its decline and Lefkada
came under the command of five consecutive rulers in a period of 13 years
(1797 - 1810). The island was initially occupied by the French and Napoleon
(1797 - 1800), followed by the Russians (1800 - 1807), when Lefkada was
included in the "Ionian State". During the Russian Occupation, Ioannis
Kapodistrias the Czar's Minister of Foreign Affairs, managed to prevent
the concession of Lefkada to the Turk Ali Pasha. On 8 July 1807, the Treaty
of Tilsit again placed the Ionian Islands under Napoleon's french command.
In 1810, the English, led by General Oswald, occupied the island and included
it in the "United States of the Ionian Islands". The English Occupation
ended in 1815, while the status of the English Protection lasted until
1864.
VI. GREEK REVOLUTION AND LIBERATION
The people of Lefkada offered significant help
to the Greek Revolution, in spite of the fact that the island remained
under English Occupation. One of Lefkada's most significant personalities
was Ioannis Zambelios (1787-1856), who had a significant role in organizing
the meeting during which the captains took their solemn oaths, at Panagia
Vlaherna, in February, 1821. The common people of the island also helped
the cause. After Greece's liberation and the inauguration of the Greek
State, in 1830, the English Occupation of the Ionian islands was shaken.
In 1864, the Ionian islands, including Lefkada, were united with the rest
of Greece. In spite of this fact, the living condition of the people of
Lefkada was not improved as a new class, the bourgeoisie, exploited the
island's wealth, while the majority of the people lived in poverty. The
epidemie of peronspore, in 1900, forced the majority of Lefkada's inhabitants
to migrate.
LEFKADIO HEARN
Lefkadio Hearn was born in Lefkada, in 1850. His father was an English army doctor and his mother was Greek from Kythera. He studied in the island and in England and ever since 1869 he worked journalist in the U.S.A. In 1890, he went to Japan where he studied the country and the Japanese culture. His knowledge established him in the scientific circles of Japan and the West. He died in 1904, in Japan. Many, Japanese still come to the island to visit the motherland of this great student.
AGGELOS SIKELIANOS
The great literary man Aggelos Sikelianos was born in Lefkada in 1884. In 1900, he came to Athens to study Law. He didn't complete his studies, because he was too absorbed with poetry. He started writing for Noumas magazine. He believed in the revival of the ancient Greek spirit. The "Delphic Idea" he professed, was the union of the whole of humanity with Delfi as its centre. He dedicated a large part of his life to the revival of the Delphic Festivals. Since 1927, he has organized performances at the ancient theatre of Delfi. He gave two performances there; "Prometheus Bound"(1927) and "Suppliant Women" (1929). During the German occupation, he wrote the tragedies "Sivylla"(1945) and "Christ at Rome" (1946). Other significant works of his include the anthologies of poetry "Lyrical Life", "Moonstruck", "Ionian Rhapsodies" and the tragedy "Thymeli". He was nominated for the Nobel prize for Literature twice. He was married to the rich American archaeologist Eva Palmer, who became his life-long companion. He died in Athens in 1951.
ARISTOTELIS VALAORITIS
The great Greek poet Aristotelis Valaoritis was born in Lefkada in 1824. His family, active participants in the Greek Revolution, originally came from Valaora in Evritania, or Epirus, while they didn't settle down until Lefkada in the late 17th century -early 18th century. Aristotelis studied in the Ionian Academy and afterwards he studied Law in Paris and Piza, yet he nave worked as a lawyer. In 1852, he married Eloisia Aimiliou Typaldou in Venice and returned to Lefkada. He then pursued poetry and politics. In 1857, he became a congressman of the Radicals in the Ionian Congress while later, after the union of the Ionian Islands with the rest of Greece, he became a representative in the Athenian Parliament. He served as a member of the party of Koumoundouros, until 1869. Aristoteles Valaoritis died in 1879. His work was inspired by his patriotic spirit, country songs and Victor Hugo's romanticism. The mansion of the Valaorits family stands on the islet of Madouri, opposite Nidri.
IOANNIS ZAMBELIOS
Ioannis Zambelios, was born in Lefkada in 1787.
He studied law in Italy, where he met with great Italian poets and was
introduced to poetry. The greatest influence on his work was his meeting
with Adamandios Korais in Paris, in 1810. During the Greek Revolution,
Zambelios became part of the Hetaeria and helped the Greek Cause significantly.
He is said to have organized the melting and inauguration of his life working
as a judge in Corfu, where he died in 1856. He wrote dramas with historical
and patriotic themes. The first one was "Timoleon" (1818), followed by
"Constantinos Palaiologos", "Regas Thessalos", "Markos Botsareis" and "Medea".
The island
The General Administrator of Ionian Islands,
Dophin, in the early 18th century, praised the bravery of the locals, calling
them "restless and impulsive spirits", while the French Ambassador, Andre
Grassel, describes the locals of the 18th century as "quiet" and "easy
to convince". Nevertheless, current events and the island's history prove
that the people of Lefkada are brave and determined. Today, they like to
promenade on the road by the sea, which is the center of cultural and social
activity and they gather in the quiet, traditional coffee shops to drink
and talk while listening to guitars.
AGIOS IOANNIS ANTZOUSSIS CHURCH
It is the oldest church of the island and according to religious folklore, while on his way to Rome, the Apostle Paul stopped here to spread the word of Christianity.
ANCIENT LEFKADA
The ancient city Nirikos was the first capital of the island from the 2nd millennium BC. Excavations have shown that Nirikos enjoyed significant economic growth. It was built on a site of great strategic importance, opposite the coasts of the mainland of Greece. Today there are only parts of fortification walls and their towers, ruins of a pre- Roman theater, cisterns, an aqueduct, and parts of an ancient cemetery. They were brought to light by the Dorpfeld's excavations.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF LEFKADA
The collection includes findings dating from the Proto-Hellenic period to the Roman era, including ceramics, pots, statues, signs, ecclesiastic pieces and photographs from the excavations in Nidri.
CHRISTOU PANDOKRATORA CHURCH
It was built in 1684 by the Venetians as a reminder of their victory against the Turks, which was the first step in their conquering the island.
LEFKA CAPE
It is situated at the southern part of Lefkada and offers a majestic view. Originally, sacrifices to the gods and the spirits of the Rough Sea took place here. According to tradition, the convicts were forced to jump from the tallest rock using feathers tied around their bodies. Boats standing by collected survivors. If a convict survived the fall, he was forgiven and granted life. According to legend, those who could not suffer the torture of love committed suicide here. The first to do this was Venus, who did not recover the loss of her beloved Adonis. Her act was repeated by Sappho, the great poetess, for her love of Phaethon. This is the reason why the location was named "The jump of Sappho" and "Cape of the lady".
MUSEUM OF GRAMOPHONES IN LEFKADA
Among the various exhibits are jewels, coins, embroidery, guns, pictures, photographs of the old town, books and gramophones and musical instruments.
PAPANIKOLIS CAVE
The cave was named after the submarine "Papanikolis" which hid there in April 1941, during World War II. Today, small boats seek refuge here from poor weather. The cave's entrance is enormous, with a height of approximately 30 meters, while its total surface area is 3,800 square meters. On the cave's walls there are columns and stalactites, and the water's colors vary impressively.
THE CASTLE OF AGIA MAVRA
The castle of Agia Mavra is situated near the channel, 1.2 km outside Hora, and is the island's link with Sterea Hellas. The area was named Castle of Agia Mavra in Medieval years, and for a period of time the name applied to the whole island. The original building was constructed by the Sicilian, Ioannis Orsini, in 1300. It was built to protect the new capital of the island, which was transferred here from the town of Kaligoni. In the Castle, one can admire the church of Agia Mavra. According to tradition, the church was built in the 15th century by Helen Palaiologina who, persecuted in Constantinople, came to the island for the wedding of her daughter to the Count of Lefkada. Helen built this church in honour of Agia Mavra who protected her from the storm. Despite the tradition, historical sources mention the existence of Agia Mavra long before the 15th century, thus the historians claim that the island was named by the French knights of Duke Walter B' around 1330, in honour of their country Agia Mavra (Sainte Maure). After the island's occupation by the Turks in 1479, the church became a mosque. In 1485, Sultan Bagiazit ordered the construction of an aqueduct and a bridge joining the city with the castle. Today, one can only see the ruins of these constructions. In 1500, the Venetians restored the Castle, and in 1684, Morosini placed a lion, the symbol of Venice, over the gate. Apart from the church of Agia Mavra, the Castle housed the church of Latin Pandokrator and other buildings such as water tanks, three schools, barracks, hospitals, storage rooms and the head-office of the politicians. A fire in 1888 caused the destruction of the castle. After its renovation, it was used as barracks and later as a refuge camp, while, during World War II, the Castle suffered Italian attacks and bombardments. On its exterior, one can still see a few canons, as most of them were removed in 1864, after the union of the Ionian Islands with the rest of Greece. Today the castle is open to tourists and houses many cultural events during the summer.
THE CHURCH OF THE PRESENTATION OF VIRGIN MARY
The church of the Presentation of Virgin Mary stands in the center of the town of Lefkada. It was built in 1720, during the Venetian domination. Later, at the end of the 18th century, it was renovated to its present form. Inside, there are notable hagiographies by Lefkadian artists from the beginning of the 19th century. One can also admire the baroque screen with the depiction of the Second Coming on its gable.
THE MONASTERY OF PANAGIA FANEROMENI
The monastery of Panagia Faneromeni, the most
significant religious monument on the island, stands 2 km east of the capital
outside the village of Frynio. It has been built on the site of an ancient
sanctuary for Hera or Artemis. According to tradition, the apostle Paul
taught there. Until 1760, it was privately owned. Its church was built
in 1634. In 1763 it was burned by the Venetians, only to be burned again
this time to ashes, in 1886. It was transferred some kilometres southwest
a year later. In its precinct stands the beautiful chapel of the apostles
Peter and Paul. Inside, one can admire the screen created by the well-known
artist Efstathios Prosalendis, and the notable icon of the Virgin with
its valuable offerings. In 1889 the relics of St Arsenios Kappadokis were
transported here. The area around the monastery is full of pine trees planted
by the diocese from 1940 - 1970. During that time, the cistern, the cells,
and the bell-tower were built.
