To
the west lies Lakidra, the most important village of the area,
rebuilt largely by French donations. Here were discovered, in the
suburb of Kallithea, near the Church of St. Nikolaous the Aliprantidon four Mycenaean tombs also thought to be by some archeologists
the Tomb of Odysseus.
North of Metaxata is the
seat of old island administration, the Castle of Aghios Georgos (Open June-Oct, 8:30-7, Sun 8:30-3, closed Mon). This castle
spreads extensively over the 320 meter hill and commands a view of
the mountains and surrounding plains. First built by the Byzantines and
then rebuilt after the ousting of the Turks by the Greeks and Venetians
under Nikolas Tsimaras in 1500. It once housed 14,000 souls within its
immediate vicinity.
Just below the Castle is
the one time Byzantine Convent of Aghios Andreas. The earthquake of 1953
shook the walls to reveal 13th century frescoes under the whitewash. The
church is now the Museum of Agh. Andreas Monastery (Mon-Fri, 9-1:30/5-8,
Sat 9-1:30, closed Sun) and houses icons, religious tracts, and
a donation of immensurable value by the Princess Roxanne of Epiros–the
sole of St. Andrew's right foot.
The breadbasket Plain of Omalos lies to the east and the Monastery
of Aghios Gerasimos, the islands patron saint. His bones rest in
a silver reliquary in the small church built over his hermitage. Pilgrims
from all over Greece worship here. The Si.Ro.Ke. winery is just opposite
and sometimes open for wine tasting.
Megas Soros (1628m) is the highest peak in the Ainos Range of mountains its airs are the most rarified of all the Ionian islands. The Argostoli-Sami road branches towards its summit and ascends to 1300m and the tourist pavilion from which you may hike to the top. From here on a clear day may be seen the whole shebang: The Peloponnese, Corfu, Zakynthos, Lefkada and Ithaki.
A unique species of black fir, Abies cefalonica covered these slopes at one time but due to two major fires and exports nine-tenths have been lost. The trees now form the Mt. Ainos National Park. The forests were so extensive that ancients called the island Melania or "the Dark." An ancient, almost extinct, breed of wild horses also roams the park.
Just below lies the 8th Century BC Temple of Aenesian Zeus where still lie the bones of animal sacrifices.
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