Kafkalida Lighthouse

The Kafkalida Lighthouse, located just off the western coast of the Peloponnese near Kyllini, first lit its beacon in 1906. Originally powered by oil, it featured a characteristic white flash with a red sector, visible up to 14 nautical miles. During World War II, the lighthouse went dark and remained inactive until its reactivation in 1945, as part of Greece’s post-war lighthouse network reconstruction.

In 1990, the lighthouse was fully automated and converted to solar power. Today, it emits a flashing white light with a red sector every 10 seconds, with a range of 12 nautical miles for the white and 9 nautical miles for the red.

The lighthouse complex includes a ground-level keeper’s house covering a total area of 82 square meters with three bedrooms, a kitchen, and a central corridor. Up until 1981, it housed six lighthouse keepers, but it was abandoned thereafter. The lighthouse tower is a 15-meter-tall stone structure—square on the outside and circular on the inside, with a 2.2-meter diameter. Nearby, there is also a stone-built utility building that includes a storeroom and a WC.

Perched on the tiny islet of Kafkalida, just west of Cape Chelonata (also known as Glarentza), the lighthouse sits at a focal height of 19 meters above sea level. On the mainland opposite, visitors can spot the impressive medieval castle of Chlemoutsi, while to the west, Mount Ainos of Kefalonia and the mountains of Zakynthos rise on the horizon.

According to local tradition, the islet was once connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, which eventually eroded to form shallow waters. Today, the islet is only accessible by boat.

The lighthouse is considered an important monument with both historical and technical significance, especially in the context of Greece's maritime history. The original structure has been granted to the Municipality of Kastro-Kyllini for restoration and preservation.

Adding to its historical appeal, the islet also features the ruins of an early Christian Basilica and ancient Roman tombs, making it a fascinating destination for history lovers and maritime explorers alike.