Lefkas series. The Tragic Story of Sappho’s Lighthouse. Cape Lefkatas Lighthouse. #viral #trending

Lefkas series. The Tragic Story of Sappho’s Lighthouse. Cape Lefkatas Lighthouse. #viral #trending

The Lighthouse of Lefkas is ideally located in Cape Ducato, which is the southernmost part of Lefkada. In antiquity, a sanctuary of Apollo was standing there. The cape is also called Kavos tis Kiras (Lady’s Cape)as Sappho, an ancient lyric poetess from Lesbos, jumped from there and killed herself after

The lighthouse started operating in 1890, but stopped functioning during World War II and re-operated in 1945. In 1950, the lighthouse was destroyed because of an earthquake, yet six years after it was repaired. Up until 1986, oil was used for it to function. In 1986, though, the oil machinery was replaced and the lighthouse started operating on electricity.

The sea below the cape is an excellent place for scuba diving as it has a depth of 40 meters. Numerous lobsters can be seen there.

The location where the lighthouse of Doukáto lies, is linked to various legends and stories. The famous cape is one of the most known rocks of antiquity and is identified with the Homeric Lefka Petri. Lefkatas was an area of land having special spiritual significance to the ancient Lefkadians, who built there a shrine dedicated to the god of sun and light, Apollo. Every year, ceremonies were held to propriate the gods of the sea, at which there were even human sacrifices. It was also the place for those who wanted to escape from unfulfilled love. The cliffs of the cape carry the sad story of the ancient lyric poet, Sapho of Lesvos (7th century B.C.), who committed suicide by falling off the steep hills of the Cape to relieve herself from her unrequited love for Phaon. This is why the place is also known with the name ”Kavos Kyras” (Lady’s Cape) or ”Pidima Kyras” (Lady’s Leap).

Although the line between legend and real is hard to be distinguished, Cape Doukato is definitely a romantic place with a picturesque lighthouse, fine views and great photo opportunities.

Credit .https://www.allovergreece.com/Hellenic-Lighthouses/Descr/16/en