Discover Kougeika

Kougeika can also be discovered through the landscape and history of its municipality. The hills of Kounoupeli, historical traces on their slopes and the area around the baths of Yrmini are particularly striking. Várda marks another chapter in regional development with the construction of the railway line in 1888. Here, landscape landmarks meet evidence from different periods. When choosing a holiday rental, this is above all a question of the kind of trip you want: would you rather explore ancient history, distinctive structures or the landscape?

Landscape around Kounoupeli and Yrmini

The Kounoupeli area is home to two small hills, about nine kilometres northwest of Várda. They are approximately 50 and 80 metres high. Historical traces can also be found in this hilly landscape, telling of the area’s different uses over time. Near the baths of Yrmini is an important cave, just a few metres from the sea. The baths themselves are a remarkable landmark in the area. Some of the most notable beaches are those near Kastro, Kyllini and Kounoupeli. Hills, cave and beach locations each lend a different character to the municipality’s landscape.

Historical traces on the hills

Remains of a Frankish wall survive on one of the Kounoupeli hills. It served as accommodation for the garrison of the area’s governor. A Christian church once stood on the second hill; large marble slabs with Byzantine reliefs bear witness to its elaborate decoration. A square tower still stands on one of the hills. Between the tower area on the hills and the church of Agios Petros lies a series of foundations of a Pelasgian wall. These traces differ in form and context: the wall remains, tower and church decoration do not tell the same story. They offer concrete starting points for conversations about the past, such as the wall’s former function or the motifs depicted in the reliefs.

From early traces to Várda’s development

In the municipality’s account, Yrmini is described as a pre-Homeric city. The earliest traces of human presence in the area are said to date back to the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods. This offers a long view of the region’s past, though not all the evidence comes from the same period. A very different turning point came in the 19th century in Várda: construction of the railway line in 1888, together with the area’s fertile and productive farmland, was a decisive factor in the town’s development. When planning a trip, traces of settlements from the distant past thus sit alongside a specific change from the 19th century.

Choose a holiday rental to suit your interests

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Kougeika, choosing a theme can make planning easier: would you like the landscape to take centre stage, or are you mainly interested in historical background? The hills, cave and beaches mentioned here are landscape landmarks; the wall remains, tower and relief slabs draw attention to history. Yrmini and Várda add different perspectives on the past.

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