Argostóli

The city of Argostóli, formerly Argostólion, katharévousa: Αργοστόλιον) has been the capital of the Greek island of Kefalonia since 1757, as well as that of the regional district and the deme of the same name. Prior to 1757, the Venetian fortress of San Giorgio in the village of Ásos had provided refuge from pirates for centuries. When the threat of pirates subsided, the population began to descend towards Argostóli, in order to take advantage of the trading opportunities offered by the sheltered bay.