Lefkada

Research has shown that the first samples of civilization on the island date back to the Paleolithic era. From excavations carried out by the German archaeologist Willem Derpfeld, he discovered findings from the Bronze Age (2000 BC) and formulated the theory that Lefkada is Homeric Ithaca.

Lefkada got its name from the cape Lefkata or Kavos of Kyra, which is located at the southern tip of the island. In ancient times, the cape was called Lefkaspetra or Lefkasakra. Legend has it that the poet Sappho, from the island of Lesvos, jumped from the rock of the cape to get rid of her love for Faonas. The ancient Greeks believed that jumping off that cliff would cure a man from the woes of love. Even the goddess of love, Aphrodite, tried to end her life that way, when she found out that her great love, Adonis was dead. Near that area there is the temple of the god Apollo, to which the white rock is dedicated.

In later times, the island was called Agia Mavra, taking its name from the church that was built inside the castle of AgiaMavra, which is located opposite the city of Lefkada and is considered a model of fortification art. For a long time, the city of Lefkada was built around this castle, but later the Venetians moved it to its current location.

Just outside the city and more specifically near Kalligoni,you can find the ruins of the ancient city of Nirikos, which was the first city of the island. Nirikos was surrounded by a large wall, part of which survives to this day. Lefkada has taken part in many great battles in the past, such as the naval battle of Salamis and the battle of Plataea during the Persian wars, as well as the Peloponnesian war on the side of the Spartans. They also fought alongside Alexander the Great in his great campaign, founding the homonymous city in the coast of Syria, as well as another one near Damascus.