The National Park of Ainos is close to Argostoli and Sami and it is the smallest park in our country. It was created in 1962 in order to protect the indigenous specimen of elati (Abies Caphalinica), which covers a ground of 1973 hectares. In the fir forest appear various specimens of bushes such as gortsies, krategi, etc. Northwest of Ainos in Rodi Mountain, beautiful bushes cover a ground of 46 hectares and are a separate part inside the park. The fir forests of mountain Ainos are dark green as to look almost black, so the Venetians called the mountain Monte Nero (‘Black Mountain’). Such was its fame that when a Kefalonian named Marínos Metaxás had an audience with Napoleon, the Emperor asked him how the famous forests of the Black Mountain were faring. In the highest rocky areas prevail briar genistas. But apart from the rich flora of the park, its fauna is also of high importance. There live mammals (fox, beech marten, hare, etc.) and other rare specimens such as petroperdika and fidaetos. The famous wild horses of Ainos are sheltered inside the Park. Some claim these are descendants of the wild horses of Thessaly, one of three ancient Greek breeds now extinct (Achaean, Thessalian & Thracian).
