As a member of the Kefalonian community I often hear from local officials (of all positions) how much we would love to attract what they refer to as "Religious Tourism" on our beautiful island!
On historically rich Kefalonia, in addition to the many ancient or even prehistoric sites that you can one day visit in Sami, Skala, Metaxata, Mazarakata, Fiskardo, Agia Efimia, Krani, the neighboring island of Ithaca and in the following years the area around Poros (Tzanata,) there are also many historical Monasteries and Churches that you can visit!
These many Greek Orthodox Christian Monasteries and Churches around the island (the most popular being that of Saint Gerasimos in Omala) are greatly hospitable with visitors all year round and especially during the religious Greek Easter period!
Historical Monasteries such as that of Atros (which is near Poros and was visited by Lord Byron and other dignitaries) are known to offer delicious free food to visitors (such as boiled goat) at some religious holidays and religious fasting foods (such as spaghetti with octopus) before Greek Easter!
Of course, as people all around the world know, Greeks (including Greek restaurants) are known for celebrating Greek Easter Sunday barbecuing a whole lamb or goat or what is called kontosovli (large pork parts) on a rotisserie, dancing and drinking wine or other drinks!
If you are in Argostoli during Good Saturday don't be alarmed if you hear loud bangs coming from people celebrating by dropping large clay vases (called stamnes) from their balconies!
Finally, while there are many reasons to visit Kefalonia during the Summer period "Religious Tourism" is always a good reason to visit our island all year round and especially during Greek Easter!
Spiros Kagadis
DutchKefalonia.nl
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