KANAKIS APARTMENTS ASSOS KEFALONIA
MAP & LOCATION
Kanakis Apartments are located in Assos village resort in the Northwest of Kefalonia island , where there are plenty of local amenities including shops, cafe-bars and restaurants, so you’ll find plenty activities to do, in order to idle away..
A perfect place for relaxing and unforgettable holidays.
Assos Village
Assos is on the NW coast and almost on its own island joined by a narrow isthmus. It is simply breathtaking and has an atmosphere all of its own. The village itself is tucked inside the narrow neck of a peninsula and it's oozing perfectly placid charm with attractive buildings and a few small tavernas overlooking a small enclosed bay.
By car it takes almost 25 minutes from Fiskardo, the most northerly port in Kefalonia, to the road overlooking the village and a further five minutes for the descent into Assos harbour. Here you will find a shady café to sit and enjoy a coffee whilst you contemplate the trek up to the ruins of the once magnificent fortress at the top of the peninsula. The walk up takes about half an hour depending on your fitness but you must remember to take water with you. Once at the top the views are spectacular.
The fortress and fortifications were built by the Venetians when they ruled Kefalonia in the 1590s as protection for the inhabitants against raids from pirates and the Turks. Within the boundaries there was a prison which was in used up until the devastating earthquake of 1953.
On your return to the village make sure you explore the back streets. The old houses in various states of repair give a tantalising insight into how the village looked when it was fully inhabited. There are some beautiful old homes which provide excellent examples of traditional Venetian architecture. Quiet in the winter but alive with tourists in the spring and summer, Assos has a magical way of making you feel detached from the rest of the world.”
Local history
Assos was the capitol of the northern part of Kefalonia since 1593. The first request for building the Fortress of Assos was made in 1585 in order to provide for a refuge in the case of a war or of attacks from pirates.
The plans start to materialize 8 years later at 1593. The aim of the Venetians was to found a strong “Fortress-City” with a permanent population. They took all the relevant measures so the building process could speed up. They also took care of all the relevant economic, technical, military and administrative issues. These movements show the great military importance that was placed on this Fortress.
The greatest problem of the Fortress was its water supply since there was no natural water source at the area. There were efforts to dig a well near the sea and at the same time to maintain the water tanks that were in the fortress. Continuous improvements were occurring, walls were being built along with warehouses for food and ammunitions.
The wells were later being enlarged. The fortress loses its strategic importance after 1684 when the island of Lefkada is recovered by the Venetians. Today the Castle of Assos still stands there. The entrance is vaulted. There are 2000m of the walls remaining today, as well as the house of a Venetian official, and the Church of Saint Marcus.
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