Do You Like Classic, Then Discover Old Lefkada
Walking in Lefkada’s town is a travel to the past. Picturesque old buildings are all around to attract the visitor’s eye. The majority of them have been built after 1825 and 1953 when big earthquakes ruined the town. Their ground floors were built by stone and the upper ones by wood. In particular the locals still keep this type of building construction for anti-seismic reasons. However, nowadays they build the ground floors with new materials like concrete and bricks. Of course they still keep the exterior appearance as the tradition dictates. Only an evening stroll to the capital’s lovely alleys is enough to discover old Lefkada. Beautiful, full of colours traditional houses travel you in the past.
Take a Recommended Walk Downtown Lefkada
Start your walking tour from the alley just opposite the entrance of the Cultural Center of Lefkada. By using Google maps application, you are heading to the church of “Panagia ton Xenon” (‘Virgin Mary of Foreigners’ in English). A beautiful church built in 1836 which worth a visit for its wood temple and its old murals. Also very close is the Marka square with its fountain and the public library. Moreover, nearby is the house of the national Greek poet Angelos Sikelianos . Today is a Museum with photos, manuscripts and other exhibits of his life. Next, take the ‘Verioti’ alley that leads to the main square of the town. The most representative houses of Lefkadian architecture are on this street.
However soon you will notice that quite a few of these buildings are closed. In particular their owners usually have left to Athens or abroad for a better life. Another reason is the high cost needed for a house renovation and in accordance with its traditional construction. Last but not least due to the economical crisis every effort is harder now than it was a decade ago.
In conclusion, all these old traditional buildings standing in the picturesque alleys of Lefkada’s capital, they travel you in the past. In other words they travel you in a classic era where with no modern tools they built masterpieces of architecture. So enjoy your walking tour and treasure these moments by taking with you back home as many colourful pictures you can.