Katavothres
On Gingerguide's self-guided Kefalonia audio tour, Katavothres is a stop worth about ~30 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Kefalonia Kefalonia guide
About Katavothres
Sinkholes on the shore near Argostoli where the sea flows into the ground and travels under the island for about two weeks, coming out at the Melissani lake on the far coast.
The Katavothres are sinkholes at sea level on the northern tip of the Argostoli peninsula, about three kilometres from the town. Seawater flows steadily into them and disappears underground. In 1963 a dye test showed that it crosses the island and comes out about 14 days later near Sami, at the Melissani cave lake and the Karavomylos spring, mixed with fresh water.
From 1835 the flow was used to drive sea mills that ground corn. The mills worked for over a century until the 1953 earthquake destroyed the last water wheel; the wheel you see today is a reconstruction. Why the water flows inland is still debated. The site is free and open at all times, and it is part of the Kefalonia-Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark.
Did you know? In a dye test on 26 February 1963, about 140 kilograms of green uranine poured into the Katavothres reappeared 14 days later on the far side of the island, near Sami.
How much time do you need at Katavothres?
Around ~30 min works well for Katavothres — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Katavothres?
Yes — Katavothres made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Kefalonia. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Kefalonia
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Katavothres and read more:
Day 1 of the Kefalonia in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Katavothres
Preview the Kefalonia tour free in the Gingerguide app.