Lefkada is a beautiful Ionian island, which in addition to its picturesque beaches and extraordinary attractions, also prides itself on its rich mythological tradition and history.
The ancient Greeks used to associate different places with stories about the gods or ancient heroes. Thus, almost every place in Greece has a mythological tradition.
Lefkada got its name from the Lefkada cape, and there are two versions of the origin of its name. One version attributes the interpretation of the name to the “lefka” the white color of the rocks on the cape. While the other version considers that its name comes from Lefkos, a Zakynthian friend of Odysseus, who also founded the sanctuary of Apollo on the cape. There is another myth as well. According to this myth, the island got its name from Lefkadios, the brother of Penelope, son of Ikarius and Polykastis.
This particular cape, in ancient times, was quite famous. According to tradition, whoever jumped from its rocks was saved from the sufferings of love. Zeus used to rest there, between his love affairs, and that is how this myth gained its fame.
Also, the ancient Greek poetess Sappho jumped off the cape as she wanted to free herself from her love for Faon. The goddess Aphrodite, on the other hand, ended her life in the same way when she learned that Adonis, her great love, had died. The Romans also believed in this tradition later.
Another tradition, on the other hand, is connected to the temple of Apollo, located in the area. According to this legend, the inhabitants of Lefkada performed a yearly city cleansing ceremony. They would throw a convict off the cliffs to prevent evil from entering the city.
Lefkada legends
Lefkada, in addition to the above myths, is also associated with the poetry of Homer and mainly with Odysseus. Wilhelm Dorpfeld, a German archaeologist, was funded to excavate the island. As reported by his findings, Lefkada was Homer’s Ithaca, and Odysseus’ palace was at Nydri on the southern coast of Lefkada. This theory is somewhat validated, as Homer described Ithaca as an island reachable on foot. Indeed, Lefkada is the only island still connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway and a floating bridge.
This beautiful Ionian island was formerly called Agia Mavra, taking this name from the homonymous church built inside the castle of Agia Mavra, whose fortress is opposite Lefkada city.
The participation of Lefkada in many heroic battles in the past is also of outstanding significance. For example, in the naval battle of Salamis, the battle of Plataea during the Persian wars and the Peloponnesian war on the side of the Spartans. Lefkadians also followed Alexander the Great in his magnificent campaign. It is also believed that from these followers, a city of the same name was founded in coastal Syria and another near Damascus.
Lefkada generally also occupied a different position from time to time in history and went through various stages.
Some of them, very briefly, are the following:
- During the Byzantine years, Lefkada was part of the Byzantine Empire.
- During the Turkish conquest in 1479, it was occupied by the Ottomans. In 1502-1503, it was under Venetian rule for two years and then again passed into the hands of the Ottomans for a long time until 1684.
- During the Venetian rule, which began in 1684, Lefkada once again united with the other islands of the Ionian Sea, also under Venetian rule. The Venetians bring residents from various places and increase the population. Thus, the island’s production of salt and oil is enhanced. After a destructive fire in the castle, the city relocated to its current location for safety reasons.
- After the Asia Minor disaster of 1922, Asia Minor refugees settled in Lefkada, and most settled in the castle of Agia Mavra.
- In 1963 the Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis bought Skorpios in Cosmopolitan Nydri, which gained worldwide fame, hosting many guests and celebrities from all corners of the world.
- Finally, during the Occupation, Lefkada and all the Ionian islands came under Italian jurisdiction until 11/9/1943. Then and after Italy had capitulated, the island came under German occupation. The German occupation ended on 12/9/1944. Then followed the civil conflict, during the “December” era, the turbulent political period afterward, and the civil war. It took many years to recover from these damages.
Lefkada myths
As you can see, Lefkada has an exceptional and rich history.
The castles and the prehistoric sites in Nydri and Kalligoni bear witness to this. A walk through its picturesque narrow streets, the small hidden squares, a look at its stately churches, and the outlines of its houses are enough to transport you to the Venetian past of the city.
