Kontogennada

The most probable origin of the name is from the words “kontis” and “genia”, which means that there were many “kontides” in this village (“kontis” was a nobility title of the Eptanese).

There are quite a few archaeological and historical monuments in the village. The vaulted- carved graves date back to the end of the Mycenaean period. More specifically, they’re two vaulted graves with a road, smaller than those of the Peloponnese, one of which is carved 2/3 into the natural rock, while the upper section was built according to the ekforic system. All the graves of Kontogenada were looted and partially destroyed due to posterior uses, most likely from antiquity. Of these graves, one is saved at the spot “Plaka” or “Plakes” close to the village and more are saved in the general area of “Skiniotiko Vouni”. The aforementioned hill also functioned as a quarry to this day, as soft and durable limestone (Margaikos Limestone) was generally used as a building material and favoured the in situ carving. Besides the vaulted- carved graves, a carved oil mill is also recognizable at the “Plakes” location, while 200 meters east of the “Stis Minous” spot, one can discern in the rock a carved- box shaped grave, a reservoir and other traces of archaeological findings that prove the quite prominent human presence in the area. Another important spot in the general area is “Ikopeda” where graves, a grave precinct, spindles, jewelry, ceramics, human and animal skeletal remains a.l. were discovered. These valuable artifacts were safely transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli.