It was founded by the Venetians in 1684, when they decided to abandon the stifling space of the Castle of Agia Mavra and transfer the island’s capital to its current location. The city was developed according to a specific plan. The urban design of the city complied with the morphology of medieval cities that had the dominant large square and narrow alleys, although the Middle Ages had come to an end and in Western Europe new street layouts were developed. After the earthquake of 1948, and more specifically after the1980’s, the city spread more and as such acquired its present form. Numerous interesting temples, dated since the Venetian domination period, are preserved and as they bear significant Venetian architectural elements. Among the most important temples of that era are Agios Spyridonas (1685), Ag. Nikolaos (1687), Ag. Dimitrios (1688), the temple of Pantokratoras (1700) and many more. (cf. below city plan).

The churches of Lefkada that were first built during the Venetian period and have western architectural influences (Map from the book LEFKADA, Anavassi Publications).

The central square of Lefkada	The temple of Agios Spyridonas; Venetian architectural elements are visible

The temple of Agios Spyridonas...	...and the entry of Agios Nikolaos’ temple

Traditional house in the urban web of Venetian mapping of the city	Aggelos Sikelianos’ residence, where “Celebrations of Art and Literature” as well as other cultural events take place

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