De Bosset Bridge

The De Bosset Bridge (or De Bosset Causeway) is the largest stone bridge on a seawater body. It was constructed in 1813 when Swiss engineer Charles Philippe De Bosset was employed by the British Army. Thanks to his contribution in the form of study and construction of the bridge, Monsieur de Bosset was appointed as Governor of Kefalonia from 1810-1814 by the British, who reigned the Ionian Islands from 1809-1864.

The town of Argostoli on the narrow Fanari peninsula projecting out from Argostoli Gulf was the commercial nerve center for the villagers on the island. However, the inlet separated Argostoli from mainland Kefalonia, making it compulsory to travel around the perimeter (unless you were traveling south). The British governors witnessed local opposition when they drew plans to link the two sides of the inlet at its narrowest part by building a wooden bridge from the southern harbor side of Argostoli to Drapano, a small village 950 meters across the water. The to-be-solved transportation problems of the villagers allayed their fears about possible invasions and the De Bosset Bridge was completed in two weeks. The little strength of the bridge called for its remodeling in 1842. Baron Everton gave the bridge a new appearance and rebuilt it with stone using materials from Metela Hill.

As you pass by the bridge upon arrival in the island's capital, a four-faced symmetrical obelisk made of carved rocks rises from the sea. This monument, called Kolona, existed since 1813 and was the Kefalonian Parliament's symbol of gratitude to Great Britain. The obelisk had a plaque in four languages: Greek, English, Italian, and Latin, with the inscription To the glory of the British Empire, which was mysteriously stricken in 1865 when the Greeks regained control of the island. Since then, the inscription has changed according to the different ruling periods. A small walkway connecting the obelisk to the bridge used to be apparent but has disappeared now.

The disastrous earthquake of 1953 hit one-third of the bridge on Argostoli's side. The bridge and the obelisk survived the earthquake, but like the whole city, it required extensive restoration using modern concrete building methods. The bridge remained the boundary between the sea and Koutavos lagoon and, periodically, several arches were added on the side of the bridge of Argostoli to impart additional strength to the bridge.

Koutavos Lagoon, created as a result of the bridge, has become a breeding site for the Loggerhead turtles that favor the south end of the lagoon. The salt marshes and the shallow water have made the area a sanctuary for aquatic birds thriving on the available resources. Further across the north end of the bridge, about 200 meters along the road to Dilinata, the British cemetery of Kefalonia can be found, where over two hundred British Servicemen rest as well as their wives, children and a handful of civilians that had served Kefalonia as British servicemen or have called the place home.

Increased advancements in technology and its easy availability affected the local traffic that comprehensively weakened the bridge to such an extent that it was closed in 2004 to all vehicles for extensive repair. The bridge was back in service in 2005 but with a few changes, like a 2-tonne weight limit imposed upon cars and motorbikes and making the bridge a one-way route. So, you will have to drive around the lagoon at least once unless you are heading south.

Enjoy!