Kefalonia Guide: History of Kefalonia...

According to Homer, Kefalonia and Ithaca used to comprise, along with Zakynthos, Lefkada and a part of continental Acarnania the realm of the sea-faring, resourceful, much afflicted Odysseus. It is an endless apotheosis emerging from awesome panoramic images that have marked an intense historic course in the wake of ages.
The above islands experienced their highest peak of development during the Mycenaean Period in terms of great cultural and social progress, while their inhabitants were becoming great seafarers following the example of daring Odysseus Ithaca, the capital of the "Kefallenes" State (the name "Kefallenes" is mentioned to in Homer's Iliad for the first time but is generally ascribed to Odysseus' subjects) and a significant station of commerce both for Continental Greece and Corinth, was one of the most powerful states during this era.

During classical times Kefalonia was divided into four administrative units, today's provinces of Krani, Sami, Pah and Pronni, which are called a «tetrapolis» (four-state) by the historian Thucidides. These were the names of the four sons of the hero Kefalus, from whom Kefalonia was named after, according to the most prevalent opinion During the Doric Period as well as throughout the historical years, there was a succession of wars, compelling the islands to be fortified by impressive castle walls Eventually, Ithaca ceased to be the centre of power, and was attached to Kefalonia while, at the same time, a period of decadence followed which was continued - as it is also the case for the other islands in the Ionian - with the Roman domination, when became "part of an unofficial Roman protectorate in Western Greece".
During the Byzantine Period intolerably heavy taxes were imposed on its inhabitants, while at the same time violent piratical raids were launched against the island Years of conquest by various European races then ensued Under the Normans, Kefalonia was appointed the islands administrative centre with the Byzantine Citadel of Saint George, today's Castro (castle). After French and Venetian occupations, the island was raided by the Turks, who caused huge disasters. The Venetian sovereignty characterized by intense class differences, which is a milestone of the islands' history commenced in 1500 From then until 1797 Kefalonia had been converted into a strategic nerve point for the Venetian fleet. The capital was eventually transferred to Argostoh in 1757 The island would pass thenceforward to the republican French, who were welcomed by its inhabitants as liberators. Despite the conquests and the tempests they suffered, the islands would show a remarkable financial and intellectual development .After the French who had modernized the islands  administration, the territory passed successively to the Russian & Turks.
In 1809, British sovereignty commenced under the Swiss commander Philip de Bosset. The famous Drapanos stone bridge, which connects Argostoli to the opposite coast, was constructed in 1813. The treaty subjecting the islands to British protection under the name "The United States of the Ionian Islands" was signed in 1815. The first public buildings and many infrastructure projects would be constructed under the English governor Sir Charles Napier, who was the only one to remain in peoples memory as a friend of the Greeks. It was during that same period when Lord Byron visited Kefalonia as the representative and president of the Liberation Committee in Greece Cephalenes contribution to the Greek Revolution of 1821, its peak being the tattle in Lala, was significant Kefalona, along with the other Ionian islands was joined with the rest of Greece in 1834, after tremendous struggle and has since kept place with the fate of the Greek State. In the course of centuries and after all this incessant "coming and going* of various conquerors, who left behind the strong traces of their presence, the Ionian islands acquired a uniquely rich heritage resulting in the creation of what historians call «The Seven-island" Civilization, as well as in the formation of the seven-insland society lifestyle, which has affected even their citizens character Thus, the progressive Kefallonian copied what was the best of the foreign influences and transformed it in a free, creative spirit. What is more, the inhabitants migrated to other lands or became seamen, imitating the example set by Homer's Odysseus. They become distinguished everywhere they go, but always feel homesick and yearn for returning home Kefalonia has been the place of origin of many poets, novelists, scientists and politicians, such as A Lascaratos, P Katsaitis, N Cawadias, G Molfetas, J Typaldos, P Calligas, S Skadaresis, B Anninos and others, all of whom hold of place in the pantheon of modern Hellenism. The local traditions, customs and morals, linguistic idioms, songs and festivities have been conserved and evolved in the fields of art music, dance and theatre. The first performances staged in the "Kefalos" Theatre started in 1857. The forms of the "arietta", which firstly appeared in Lixouri, sung by 3 or 4 singers, and of the serenade, both being local folklore songs sung to the accompaniment of the guitar, became trendy in music Philharmonic orchestras would be set up in both Lixouri and Argostoli, and continue to exist even today. The local folclore dances such balos, syrtos and koutsos, danced in the context of feasts and the Kefalonian carnival or the cultural events even today, also acquired their own style. The architectural style of the local buildings tears renaissance and baroque elements in a more simplified form. The earthquakes which occurred in 1953 destroyed numerous stately mansions, which were later re-built according to the old style Stone-made constructions, wooden doors and windows, some of which have survived until our times, prevail in Ithaca Islanders' skills extended also in sculpture and stand out because of the sublime carved wooden redoses in churches and abbeys, as well as because of painting icons which depict saints.

Source: The CD-Rom of the Prefecture of Cephalonia and Ithaca "Cephalonia-Ithaca: Odyseus's Dream"

Kefalonia Island History Fast Facts

4000 - 3000 BC
The Neolithic Period. The first indications of settling

3000 - 2000 BC
The Proto-Helladic Civilisation: an organised settlement.

2000 - 1500 BC
The Pro-Mycaenean Period.

1500-1100 BC
The Mycaenean Period: a peak of high development era on both islands. The establishment of Tetrapolis, Kefalonia.

1100- 800 BC
The Doric Period the fortification of the cities by impressive castle walls because of the wars and the attachment of Ithaca to Kefalonia.

180 BC-394 AD
The Roman Period: Raids of pirates

800- 169BC
The Period of the Ancient Greek Development Peak, the division of the island into 4 cities-states, the construction of monumental fortification works.

394 - 1185 AD
The Norman conquest. ;

1500- 1798AD
The Venetian Period: the Franc and the Venetian Occupations.

1800- 1807 AD
The independent state of the Ionian Islands.

1809-1864 AD
The English: sovereignty

394 1185 AD
The Byzantine Period. The Byzantine citadel of Saint George was built, later to become the island's capital.

1479-1500 AD
The Turkish Occupation: human atrocities, looting, persecutions.

1797 AD
The French Republicans, the Russian Turks.

1807-1809 AD
The second French sovereignty reforms in administration.

1st July 1823
Lord Byron's visit to the island.

May 21 1864
The official triumphant reunion of the Ionian Islands with Greece.

1953 up-to-date
the development of the island and the extended tourist evolution.