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Lefkada

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Lefkada is a Greek island located in the Ionian Sea.

LefkadaWW
LefkadaWW

It sits near the west coast of Greece. A long causeway and a floating bridge connect the island to the mainland. This connection makes it unique because it is not entirely separated from the land. The principal town is also named Lefkada. It serves as the seat of the municipality. The town is located in the northern part of the island. It is about 25 minutes away from Aktion National Airport by automobile.

Lefkada dromos eisodos
Lefkada dromos eisodos

The island features diverse geography and a Mediterranean climate. This climate is classified as Csa by the Köppen system. It includes hot summers and cool winters. The island's highest point is Stavrota. This mountain sits in the middle of the island at 784 meters above sea level. The east coast contains several small resorts. These include Lygia, Nikiana, and Perigiali. Nidri is the largest resort on the island. It is located north of the other small resorts. South of Nidri lies Vasiliki. This village is a known center for windsurfing.

20100726 Kalamitsi Beach Ionian Sea Lefkada island Greece
20100726 Kalamitsi Beach Ionian Sea Lefkada island Greece

Lefkada's landscape includes striking coastal features. The west coast is home to the famous Porto Katsiki beach. To the south of Vasiliki is Cape Lefkada. This area features cliffs that are 30 meters high. The southernmost tip is called Cape Dukato. This name is sometimes used to refer to the entire island. Regular car ferries run from the island to other places. These include Kefalonia, Ithaca, and Meganissi.

20100726 Kalamitsi Beach Ionian Sea Lefkada island Greece
20100726 Kalamitsi Beach Ionian Sea Lefkada island Greece

The history of Lefkada is tied to ancient legends and archaeology. Some believe the island was the home of Odysseus. He was a hero from Homer's epic, the Odyssey. The German archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld studied this possibility. He suggested the palace of Odysseus was west of Nydri. Local tourism officials also point to passages in the Odyssey. They note the description of Ithaca as an island reachable on foot. This matches Lefkada because of its causeway connection. In the 7th century BC, the Corinthians dug a trench in the isthmus.

Many different powers controlled the island through the centuries. The island was a Corinthian colony in ancient times. It was later annexed to the Roman Republic. During the Middle Ages, the Republic of Venice held possession of the island. The name Santa Maura appeared in 1292. This name was used for the island and its capital. The Tocco family also ruled the area as a duchy. Eventually, the Ottoman Empire captured the island in 1479. The Ottomans called the island Levkada. They kept the name Aya Mavra for the castle and capital.

Leuchate Sta Maura - Buondelmonti Cristoforo - 1420
Leuchate Sta Maura - Buondelmonti Cristoforo - 1420

Ottoman rule brought significant architectural changes to the island. In 1564, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered an aqueduct. This structure brought water from the interior to the town. It was a major work of Ottoman civil architecture. The aqueduct also featured a footpath for access. Later, the Castle of Santa Maura was rebuilt. Kılıç Ali Pasha enlarged it into a hexagonal fortress between 1572 and 1574. This fortress included large towers for artillery. These works made Lefkada an important urban and military center.

Manesson-Travaux-de-Mars 9927
Manesson-Travaux-de-Mars 9927

Today, the island preserves much of its cultural and religious heritage. Visitors can see many historic buildings in the main town. The Church of the Theotokos is a notable example.

20140412 lefkada050
20140412 lefkada050

The Church of the Pantokrator is another important site.

20140412 lefkada040
20140412 lefkada040

The island remains a place where ancient history and modern life meet. Its geography and past continue to draw people to its shores.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:LefkadaWW.jpg
LefkadaWW.jpg
File:Lefkada dromos eisodos.jpg
Lefkada dromos eisodos.jpg
File:20100726 Kalamitsi Beach Ionian Sea Lefkada island Greece.jpg
20100726 Kalamitsi Beach Ionian Sea...
File:Expedición de Bruto a Aquitania (recortado).jpg
Expedición de Bruto a Aquitania (recortado).jpg
File:Leuchate Sta Maura - Buondelmonti Cristoforo - 1420.jpg
Leuchate Sta Maura - Buondelmonti...
Manesson-Travaux-de-Mars 9927.tif
File:20140412 lefkada050.JPG
20140412 lefkada050.JPG
File:20140412 lefkada040.JPG
20140412 lefkada040.JPG
File:Ionian sea islands, pic6.JPG
Ionian sea islands, pic6.JPG
File:Valaoritis Aggelos 6177.JPG
Valaoritis Aggelos 6177.JPG
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