Cephalonia – The Archaeology of the Top 10 Islands in Europe

6. Cephalonia, Greece

A polychrome mosaic floor in Skala Roman villa

The beautiful island of Cephalonia is perhaps best known as the setting for the popular novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières; and for the film adaptation a number of significant scenes were filmed here. Although evidence of human habitation on the island goes back at least 40,000 years, the Mycenaean period is of particular importance and interest to visitors. The archaeological museum in Argostoli, although small by some standards, has an impressive collection of artefacts from this period. And it is widely considered to be one of the better collections of Mycenaean artefacts on display in Greece. One of the exhibits in the museum displays artefacts excavated from Melissani Cave. This extraordinary geological feature is a popular tourist attraction. The entrance to the cave is almost hidden as it is surrounded by a forest. But beyond the entrance the roof of the cave opens and the light reveals an open lake with crystal blue waters. This magical setting of a lake within a cave made this an ideal setting for the nymphs of ancient Greek mythology, myths and legends that are played up by the local boatmen during their guided tours.

After a significant Classical history, the island had an equally interesting Medieval history. Cephalonia is now the largest of the Ionian islands in western Greece, but in the past it was conquered in turn by the Normans, the Franks, the Venetians, and the Turks. Each of these periods have left their mark in some way or another, from ancient Greek temples and tombs to Roman villas with wonderful mosaic floors and cemeteries, from impressive Venetian forts and Norman castles to remote Byzantine monasteries.
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