General information
Katelios beaches
Ano Katelios
Maritime traditions
Historical monuments
General information
Katelios is one of the most southern villages of Kefalonia, and is situated on the eastern part of the Bay of Katelios. Katelios is divided into two parts, lower (Kato) and upper (Ano). On a clear day, not only can Zakynthos be seen, but also the mountains of the Peloponnese, in mainland Greece.
Beaches
Kato Katelios has a small beach in the village, with a few taverna and bar kiosks right at the back of the beach. There is a more popular beach, separated from the centre by the river, known as Agia Barbara. Both Katelios beach and Agia Barbara still witness some nesting attempts today. But turtles' efforts are vain. Machines "tidying and cleaning" the beach, roads, erosion have altered the sand composition so much that it is practically impossible now for se turtles to nest here. Mounda beach shares the same bay with Katelios.
Ano Katelios
Ano Katelios, a picturesque village of natural beauty, occupies the upper right part of the valley below the village of Markopoulo, with a river passing through its centre. This river is unique in Kefalonia for the fact that it has natural water flowing throughout the whole year (see picture right).
Maritime traditions
Katelios is a typical fishing village of Kefalonia with a great maritime tradition. Karavopetra, which has been worn down by the waves over time, holds a special place in the hearts of the local people. It was constructed by the Venetian outside the pier of Katelios and was visited by merchant ships and fishing boats in its former days of glory. Now its ruins lie half-buried by the sands.
The village of Kato Katelios was composed of only two or three houses at the turn of the 20th century and became a stopover point for workers and merchants or generally anything that came or went from the sea. The two taverns of Kritikos and Haberis, with their fresh fish and wine, were important places for all workers who found themselves isolated in Katelios by bad sea weather. Later after the wars and up until the present the fish taverns played much the same role, when all of Argostoli descended to taste their delicious wines and the fresh fish specially selected from the local fishermen.
Some historical monuments
- the Mycenaean tombs of Ellinika and Roman mosaics (a location in the plain of Katelios), Mavrata and Tzanata
- the eighteen Roman water mills along the river, which begins in Pastra and continues to the sea
- the Venetian castle of Saint George which was the former capital of the Municipality of Pronnoi
- the rocky bell tower of Saint Andrew in Ano Katelios (see picture right).