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Kefalonia Travel Guide > Interesting Places on Kefalonia > Kourkoumelata is a southern village gem

Kourkoumelata is a southern village gem

[The history of Kourkoumelata] [Kourkoumelata has a unique cultural centre] [Vergotis house and memorials] [Kourkoumelata local church]

The history of Kourkoumelata

Kourkoumelata was home to a family of wealthy shipping magnates when it was devastated by the 1953 earthquake.

As the whole of the island was struggling to rebuild their homes, the three Vergotis brothers made a family decision to rebuild their village not only for themselves but for everybody else in Kourkoumelata. They decided not only to rebuild what had been lost but to make a new improved village with better facilities for its inhabitants.

New roads were built and electricity was swiftly put in with Kourkoumelata being the first village after the main towns of Argostoli and Sami to get their electricity supply with the influence and wealth of Georgos Vergotis.

The villagers' houses were rebuilt for them and utilities connected. Nowadays the pride of the inhabitants for their village clearly shows in the way that each house is kept in good order with beautifully tended gardens and clean public spaces.

An unusually designed cafe bar was built in the shape of a ship and this is ideally situated to take full advantage of superb views across the Livatho area and out towards Svoronata and the island of Dias.

The Marina Cafe bar is open for coffee, light snacks and has some delicious home made traditional cakes. The walnut and honey cake is highly recommended (karothopita).

Kourkoumelata local church

The local church is situated on the corner as you arrive into Lakythra if you are driving up from the village of Metaxata. The church is dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Island Saint Gerassimos and is popular for local Greek Orthodox weddings and christenings.

Kourkoumelata has a unique cultural centre

Built in a neo-classical style complete with Doric columns, Vergotis presented the village with its own Cultural Centre complete with manicured lawns.

Nearby is the village stadium and in the summer months exhibitions and concerts are held in the cultural centre and stadium which are free to all.

On the opposite side of the road where there once stood the police headquarters, is the new Philharmonic Centre which completes the cultural ameneties.

In spite of the grand new buildings, Kourkoumelata retains a rural charm with pretty lanes and rural views to be enjoyed.

Vergotis house and memorials

The last of the three brothers in the Vergotis family, Panayiotis, passed away in May 1997 aged 82. Opposite the Philharmonic Centre is the village cemetary and there is a walkway on the left to the Vergotis family tombs.

The imposing original Vergotis family house stands on the corner on the left hand side as you face the village church. There is a narrow road on the left of this house which takes you pasts its gardens and summer pavilion and by climbing up some steps it will give you a better vantage point of the house and gardens.

Opposite the Vergotis house is the village square with palm tree and shrine which is dedicated to the Vergotis family.

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