I can assure you by the time you have walked up to the top of the hill and reached Assos Castle in full sun and a scorching 30 degrees C heat, you will be out of focus too! My thanks to Paul Woods who took the out of focus shot of this web designer holding up the 1590 something gateway to the castle. Honest!! I was not exhausted....It really needed my support!! Just as well I took my own photograph once my blood had cooled to below boiling point and my breath had slowed from gulping gasps to a fast pant!

Assos is a picturesque village built on the neck of the enchanting peninsula of Assos, nestled amongst pines, cypresses and terraced fields. There is a bustling town square and many modern rooms to rent, but in spite of the large number of tourists that visit every year, Assos has kept the small village atmosphere it had before the tourist invasion. On the hilltop stands the old pink church of Agios Georgios, built in 1871, with a lovely bell tower.

The villagers named the small square next to the sea Paris out of gratitude to the French. Among the plane trees, the palms and the poplars which shade the square stands the ancient Olive-tree, on which Cosmas the Aetolian leaned as he taught. One story tells of it being summer, and the cicadas were so noisy that Agios Cosmas couldn't be heard, so he shouted to them to shut up ……… and they did! Undoubtedly, the sight most worth seeing in Assos is the 16th century Venetian fortress.

On the unpaved road up to the fortress (where most of the villagers used to take a stroll in the cool evening hours, in days gone by), you will encounter the chapel of Panagia Plakoula. Trust me, you are not even half way up. It took its name from the icon carved in relief on a stone slab, which was found on the beach below the fortress; it can now be seen outside the chapel.

ERR......Going up!!!


 

The idea to build the fortress dates from 1585 when the legation of the commune of Kefalonia asked the Venetian senate for a fortress to protect the islanders from attack by pirates and Turks. Construction began in 1593. The speed with which it was built indicates it's importance. The position it occupied on a peninsula, at an elevation of 170m where the only means of access was a narrow passage 51m wide, made it impregnable. In addition, Assos' port was a safe natural harbour. The fortress lost its strategic importance in 1684 when the Venetians regained the fortress of Lefkada. It remained, however, the seat of the Venetian provisor until 1797. Still standing are the vaulted semi-circular entrance-way, the walls, and in thick vegetation the ruins of the house of the provisor and those of the Catholic Church of San Marco (1604). Until 1815 the fortress housed a rural prison, because it offered no means of escape.

The fortress was lived in until 1968 by the Destounis family, whose graves can be seen next to the small Church of Profitis Ilias, dating from 1889. Behind the prison is the second gate; one can also reach it from the left side of Assos. Imprison yourselves for a while in the mysterious atmosphere of the fortress and admire the unique view and the enchanting sunset. Sadly the surprising decision has been made to build new villas within the castle confines. These can be seen once you have passed through the gate.

The amazing view from our lunch table across Assos's small harbour. The water is so clear you can see and feed the fish. Our thanks to Adonis and his staff for a beatiful day out, I love Assos

Adonis (see left) is the owner of the Nefeli taverna. Split into two parts we are sitting in the part next to the small natural harbour. The main taverna is featured above left. I still look up at the castle and cannot believe I climbed that hill in the blazing heat of early september last year. (see above)

I can heartily recommend the food here, what you see (above far left) is a starter for 4 people, which the three of us (Judi, Gloria and myself) polished off over a long lunch. It took us nearly two and a half hours but made for an amazing day out in one of the prettiest villages on the island.

Finally Adonis whilst I know you are from Fiscardo, I think Assos is much more relaxing. A real place to chill for a couple of hours, and cheaper too!

Yiassas Assos!!