The rich in history and beauty city of Lixouri in the Paliki area at the west of the island of Kefalonia has a history that expands to ancient times.
In fact, there are some English and Greek researchers who claim that the Ancient Kingdom of Odysseus was based near Lixouri and that the peninsula of Paliki was a separate island from the rest of Kefalonia!
Lixouri was in addition one of the two Kefalonian cities (with Sami) that fought against the Roman invasion of our island!
Perhaps, these are the reasons why the people of Lixouri are known all over Greece for their independent spirit and pride! These, in addition to their opposition to the capital of Kefalonia which is Argostoli!
The well known rivalry with Argostoli dates back to Medieval times when Lixouri due to its geographic proximity to the Italian administrators of Kefalonia was a major naval, commercial and cultural center of Kefalonia!
It is no surprise that in Lixouri, unlike the rest of Greece which was occupied by the Ottoman Turks, that its culture flourished even in these dark times!
An example of the above culture advantage of Lixouri and its rivalry with Argostoli is that the statue of Lixourian writer Andreas Laskaratos has his back humorously faced towards Argostoli! This is considered offensive in Greece.
In addition to the statue of Andreas Laskaratos in the central square of Lixouri there are many other places to visit in this modern day city that in many ways successfully tries to resemble its culture, scientific and administrative superiority of the past!
There are a plethora of beautiful beaches like Petani, Atheras, Platia Ammos, Agia Eleni and the well known for its unique red sand beach of Xi!
The city of Lixouri also has a new museum that is being prepared, the library and museum of Iakovatios, is well known for its marvelous carnival, the Monastery of Kipoureon and the wine festival of Mantzavinata. You should also visit the various fantastic Summer time musical events that the Municipality organizes among other places!
Also, in the city of Lixouri you find stores to cater for all your culinary, shopping and other desires!
Finally, there are a lot that I can write about the beautiful peninsula of Paliki and its capital city of Lixouri. But I believe that it would be best if you should all visit Paliki and discover for yourselves why Lixouri is rightly called the small "Paris" of Greece!
Spiros Kagadis
DutchKefalonia.nl
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