Katavothres mills on Kefalonia

A few kilometres north of Argostoli is a strange and astonishing place called Katavothres. The sea water rushes in through several holes in the ground. It would not be strange if it were not for the reason that the water disappears. The original watermill was destroyed in the 1953 earthquake, the one that exists today is a replica. Today there is a small cafe by the watermill.

Katavothres Mill.

No one knew where the water went until to 1963. Then some geologists came up with the smart idea to fill the holes with a liquid dye called Uranine. Two weeks later they could follow the Uranine to the area around Sami on the other side of the island, including to Melissani Lake located a good distance from the original location.

The geologists could with their experiment show that the water travels between 15-20 kilometres underground before reaching the sea again, then as brackish water. It is strange, don't you think?

The watermill is a replica of the one that was destroyed in the 1953 earthquake.

The café at Katavothres.

Here the water flows in and then flows out into Sami.

Fanari beach located after Katavothres Mill.

If you continue the road from Katavothres, you finally reach a beach called Fanari, shortly after the beach you get to the lighthouse of Agioi Theodori. If you turn left after the lighthouse you arrive to a monument erected in memory of the thousands of Italians who fell on Kefalonia during World War II. If you keep straight on, instead of turning left, you eventually turn up at the tourist resort of Lassi.

Once you have seen this sight, you must see Melissani Lake where the water runs out. Do you want to swim instead you can go to Lassi, which is quite close Katavothres

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT KATAVOTHRES

Don't miss Melissani Lake, which you can read about here »