|
Part of the charm of Assos lies in its simplicity. The rustic
village, of about a 100 inhabitants, contains some fine examples of Venetian
architecture commonly found on Kefalonia before the 1953 earthquake.
Alongside these you will find an attractive collection of private houses, a
small selection of villas and apartments, four or five tavernas and a
mini-market. The remains of an imposing Venetian castle set on its own
peninsula dominate the tiny village nestling in its horse-shoe harbour below.
There is a small pebble beach near the village square but the more
attractive and secluded coves are accessible by boat just around the
headland and small motor-boats can be hired locally. The most famous beach
of all on Kefalonia - Myrtos Bay, described as one of the seven best
Mediterranean beaches - is only a fifteen-minute drive away and can also be
reached by caique cruise from Assos.
The waterfront in Assos serves as the main village square and is officially
known as Paris Square with a marble inscription acknowledging the assistance
received from France in rebuilding the village.
The local bus runs about once a week from Assos into Argostoli and there is
a local taxi service, but car hire is recommended if you are staying in
Assos and wish to see any other part of the island.
A stay in Assos will appeal to people who are interested in walking,
rambling, photography, painting, bird-watching and those who love rugged
coastal and mountain scenery. If you have an overstretched life, then the
slow and relaxed pace of life in Assos can provide an ideal place to unwind.
Breathe in the heady scent of herbs, listen to the sound of crashing waves
against the steep cliffs and start to write that book! You will soon feel
like part of the village as you watch the visiting flotillas come and go and
enjoy some magnificent sunsets.
The history of the castle of Assos began in 1584 when the rocky promontory
of Assos, a naturally impregnable location, was selected and 2000 metres of
walls were built to follow the contours of the terrain forming one of the
most famous landmarks on Kefalonia. The remains of the castle within remain
abandoned and uninhabited in a place of scenic beauty well worth exploring.
|
