Leivathos

Property Code: 1-1310 - Villa FOR SALE in Kefalonia Leivathos for € 520.000 . This 210 sq. m. furnished Villa is on the Ground floor and features 5 Bedrooms, 3 Livingrooms, 3 Kitchens, 4 bathrooms . The property also boasts Heating system: Autonomous heating - Oil, tiled floor, view of the Sea, Window frames: Aluminium, Armourplated door, parking, garden, fireplace, swimming pool, A/C, electrical appliances, insect screens, double-glazed windows, BBQ, satellite dish, off-peak electricity rates during night hours, open space, internal staircase. The building was constructed in 2005 and renovated in 2018 Plot area: 655 s.q. . Building Energy Rating: C Distance from sea 950 meters, Distance from the city center: 7900 meters, Distance from nearest airport: 5000 meters, Τhis charming villa offers an unlimited view of the Ionian Sea and is located on one of the most beautiful sides of Kefalonia overlooking the beach of Avythos and the enchanting sunset. The property has a very open-air approach with various options for any time of day, whether it is a swim in the pool, or a relaxing moment reading a novel on one of its spacious terraces or a meal in the outdoor dining area with a beautiful landscape as the perfect background.The interiors of the property are comfortable with minimal aesthetics and modern furnishings and include a ground floor of 82.78 sq.m. consisting of two bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom, first floor area 62.33 sq.m. consisting of one bedroom, kitchen and bathroom and second floor area 65.23 sq.m. consisting of two comfortable bedrooms, kitchen and two bathrooms. All apartments have spacious terraces with unlimited views and fully equipped and functional kitchens. Thanks to the versatility of the spaces and the smart design, this property can function either as a single villa or as three independent apartments.
Metaxata acquired its name from the Byzantine nobleman, supporter of Constantine Palaiologos, Markantonios Metaxas, who settled in the area after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Prominent members of the historical Metaxas family originate from the village, such as the brothers Andreas and Konstantinos Metaxas, who led a force of Cephalonians that participated in the 1821 Revolution in the Peloponnese.

The area was already inhabited since antiquity, as indicated by the Mycenaean Tombs discovered in the "Chalikera" area by archaeologist Spyros Marinatos, but with poorer finds than those of Mazarakata and the Tombs of Lakithra. During his passage through Kefalonia in 1777, Kosmas the Aetolian taught in the "Stavros" area of ​​Metaxata. Until the earthquakes of 1953, a hut with a wooden cross marked the exact spot where he stayed.

Metaxata in the early 20th century. The pre-earthquake bell tower of Agia Paraskevi can be seen.
Lord Byron also lived in the village for four months in 1823, before moving to Messolonghi, even writing several poems about the area and its natural beauties. Today, his statue stands in the central square of the village and the house where he lived is nearby. A commemorative plaque commemorating the great philhellene poet dominates its entrance.
In the central square of the village is the Church of Agia Paraskevi, a classic example of Ionian architecture, which was rebuilt immediately after the devastating earthquakes of 1953. A memorial plaque has been placed on the bell tower of the church in honor of Captain Gerasimos V. Metaxas and the five sailors from Metaxata who lost their lives on October 6, 1925 during the sinking of the steamship "Margarita" in the Indian Ocean. Until 1953, there were six churches in Metaxata, most of which belonged to the large families of the village. Of these, three are currently in operation: the Church of Agia Paraskevi, the Church of Panagia and the Church of Agios Nikolaos. The Church of Agios Nikolaos of Metaxata was built in the 17th century. the seat of the Diocese of Kefalonia and Zakynthos, which is why it is still known to the residents as "Episkopi". The first Printing House in Greece operated in the same area when it was transferred from England to Metaxata by the Archbishop of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca (1628-1645) Nikodimos Metaxas. The ruins of the first Printing House are still preserved in the courtyard of the church.
Metaxata, like the whole of Kefalonia, suffered complete destruction by the great earthquake of August 1953, which destroyed all the stone-built houses of the village. Their reconstruction was completed around the end of the 1950s, with most of the houses retaining their traditional pre-earthquake character. However, the economic upheavals brought about by the earthquakes forced many residents to flee to Athens or other urban centers, and the population experienced a sharp decline, which has begun to reverse in recent years, especially since the late 1990s. Today, Metaxata is home to the Philharmonic of the Municipality of Livatho and the island's Voluntary Forest Protection Group. Metaxata borders Kerameies to the east, Kourkoumelata to the south, and Lakithra to the west. The area is dominated by fertile plains that favor the agricultural and livestock activities of the residents, while the village's extremely fertile climate is largely due to its proximity to the Ainos mountain range to the north and east. Metaxata forms a junction with two roads, one leading west to Lakithra and Argostoli and the other leading north to Travliata and the Argostoli-Poros road and south to Kourkoumelata and the airport.