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| KATELIOS |
| Katelios, on the south-west
coast of Kefalonia, was little more than a hamlet until
about twenty years ago, when tourists first discovered the
beauty and tranquillity offered by the sandy beach and
flat farming land in the plain behind. A couple of
tavernas and a small collection of fishermen’s huts were
dotted about behind the tiny harbour area, known as Kato
Katelios, while the local population, such as it was,
lived in Ano Katelios, a small settlement at the foot of
the hill, or in the nearby hill villages surrounding the
wide valley. Popular among the more mobile citizens of Argostoli for the quality of its seafood, Katelios has quietly grown over the last two decades as more people discover its delights and return year after year. |
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At
the
western end of Mounda Bay, and separated from Mounda beach
by a rocky outcrop, Katelios has been inhabited over a
long period of time. Roman remains going back some 2,000
years have been found just behind Agia Barbara beach,
halting a proposed glamping site. And although Mounda Bay
is very shallow there is evidence that Katelios was a port
and trading centre during the Roman and Venetian periods,
witnessed by the remains of an old mole near the fishing
harbour. During World War II a British submarine, HMS Perseus, struck a mine and sank in the straits between Kefalonia and Zakynthos. The only survivor, John Capes, was rescued by local fishermen . |
| Katelios, like virtually all of Kefalonia, was all but destroyed during the earthquake of 1953. Remains of the old church exist in Ano Katelios and, despite growing popularity as a tourist resort, Katelios is still largely an active agricultural area with fertile soil irrigated by streams from the mountains above. These streams powered water-mills from the Roman period until quite recently and there is a very pleasant - if somewhat haphazard - walk, taking in the remains, down from Pastra to Katelios. This fertile farming land is slowly sprouting new tourist accommodation, including two new, up-market hotels, yet remains very much a rural village and, although only some seven kilometres from lively Skala, has a character all of its own. |  |
 Katelios beach, photo by Tony
& Kath
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Although
there
are a couple of off-beach bars offering quizzes and sports
channels on wide- screen television, you won’t find the
usual tourist trappings. There’s a daily bus (or two) to
Skala, Poros and Argostoli (but not on Sundays and ‘Bank
Holidays’), also a water-bus to Skala and Poros. There’s a
good choice of tavernas and bars, a choice of tours and
car hire, three mini-markets, several gift shops and
exchange facilities; a pharmacy, doctors and ATM machines
are available in Skala. Although much of the tourist accommodation in Katelios is block-booked by British package tour companies there is also a variety of good independent accommodation available, see the Katelios map & accommodation listing |
Irrespective of age, Katelios will particularly appeal to bird watchers, nature lovers and mature- minded people seeking a relaxing holiday in a peaceful, rural setting, especially early and late season. |
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