Lefkada: A Short Historical Chronology

Historical Atlas / evidence-led chronology

16 documented events.

1. Before the end of the 7th century BC

   Corinthian Leukas takes shape

   Corinthian settlers founded the city whose protected remains extend around Koulmos.

   Evidence

   Claims: lf-001, lf-002. Sources: Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Municipality of Lefkada.

2. 879

   Leukas appears as a bishopric

   The ecclesiastical record supplies the first defensible Byzantine milestone in this chronology.

   Evidence

   Claim: lf-014. Source: Veikou, 2007, catalogue entry 121.

3. 6 December 968

   Liudprand reaches Leucas

   The Cremonese envoy records his arrival and dealings with the island’s bishop.

   Evidence and location limit

   Claims: lf-015, lf-021. Sources: Liudprand, chapter 63; Dimitroukas, 1997; Veikou, 2007. Koulmos and Agios Georgios are a location hypothesis.

4. c. 1300

   Agia Mavra becomes the new centre

   John I Orsini established the first fortress as Koulmos ceased to be the island’s capital.

   Evidence

   Claims: lf-003, lf-022. Sources: Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Municipality of Lefkada.

5. 1479

   Ottoman forces take Agia Mavra

   The capture opened the first Ottoman period at the fortress.

   Evidence

   Claim: lf-004. Source: Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

6. 1502–1503

   Venice holds the fortress briefly

   Venetian control lasted about a year before Ottoman rule resumed.

   Evidence

   Claim: lf-005. Source: Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

7. 1684

   Venice captures Agia Mavra and the centre moves

   After Morosini’s capture, the settlement was relocated to Amaxiki at modern Lefkada Town.

   Evidence

   Claims: lf-007, lf-008. Sources: Hellenic Ministry of Culture; Municipality of Lefkada.

8. 1797

   Venetian rule ends

   Lefkada passed into brief French control.

   Evidence

   Claim: lf-009. Source: Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

9. 1800

   Lefkada enters the Septinsular Republic

   The island became part of the new Ionian republic.

   Evidence

   Claim: lf-016. Source: Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

10. 1807

    French imperial sovereignty returns

    The Septinsular Republic passed under the sovereignty of the French Empire.

    Evidence

    Claim: lf-017. Source: Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

11. 1810

    British forces take control

    Agia Mavra became the military centre of British rule on Lefkada.

    Evidence

    Claim: lf-018. Source: Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

12. 5 November 1815

    Treaty constitutes the United States of the Ionian Islands

    The treaty named Maura within a single Ionian state under immediate and exclusive British protection.

    Evidence

    Claim: lf-010. Source: Treaty text, Articles I–II.

13. 19 January 1825

    Earthquake almost levels Lefkada Town

    OASP records magnitude 6.5 and intensity X in the town.

    Evidence

    Claim: lf-011. Source: OASP event record.

14. 2 June 1827

    Earthquake damage becomes building law

    A decree set mandatory materials, wall thicknesses and building heights for Ionian towns.

    Evidence

    Claim: lf-019. Source: OASP event record.

15. 29 March 1864

    Treaty recognises union with Greece

    The London treaty renounced the British protectorate and recognised union.

    Evidence

    Claim: lf-012. Source: Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs treaty record.

16. 21 May 1864

    The Ionian Islands pass formally to Greece

    British forces were replaced by Greek troops and the formal handover took place.

    Evidence

    Claim: lf-020. Source: Presidency of the Hellenic Republic.