
A view of Fiskardo
'Fiskardo' (
Greek, Modern: Φισκάρδο, Ancient/Katharevousa: -on), lately, more commonly 'Fiscardo', is a village located about 54 km N of
Argostoli in
Erissos in the northernmost part of the island of
Kefalonia. The origin of the name is the corrupted form of Guiskardo (Γυϊσκάρδο) from
Robert Guiscard in the time of the Frankish (Norman) dominion in Greece. It was later called Piskardo (Πισκάρδο) then Fiskardo but since the late 1990s the most common name is Fiscardo. Fiskardo is also a bay which its port is located and is about two kilometres long. The population today is small. Northward and eastward is the
Ionian Sea and is the northernmost of the
Strait of Ithaca. The forested and bushy hills lie to the east. Fiskardo is located at the end of the road linking Argostoli and Fiskardo. Fiskardo serves rural roads. The mountain which are mainly forested including one named ''Panormos'', villas and a beach. Fiskardo is also a fishing town. The coast around Fiskardo are mainly rocky. The hills of Fiskardo offers a nice panoramic view of the Ionian Sea including
Daskalio island,
Ithaca, northwestern
Aetolia-Acarnania and the island of
Lefkada. The port serves ferry routes to the islands of Ithaca with the port of
Frikes and Lefkada. Fiskardo is located NE of
Assos and N of
Agia Efthymia.
In late 2006 construction workers building a new hotel near the centre of Fiscardo stumbled upon a perfectly preserved Roman-era grave complex, filled with gold jewellery, glass, clay pots and bronze artefacts. The complex measures 26 by 20 feet and is the shape of small house. Inside five burial sites were found including a large vaulted grave and a stone coffin along with gold jewellery, pottery and bronze offerings. Archaeologists found gold earrings and rings, gold leaves that may have been attached to ceremonial clothing, as well as glass and clay pots, bronze artefacts decorated with masks, a bronze lock and copper coins. On a nearby plot, archaeologists also discovered a remarkably well-preserved theatre with their stone back rests still in place. Other excavations have uncovered remains of houses, a baths complex and a cemetery, all dating to Roman times - between 146 B.C. and 330 A.D.
The Greek Culture Ministry said the find is unique. “Nothing else like it has ever been discovered on any Ionian island," said a ministry spokesman. “The site was missed by grave robbers and was untouched when opened. It is so perfectly preserved that the 2000 year old ancient door still swings open smoothly on stone pivots.”
In late 2005 when building a shopping complex close to the harbour in Fiscardo workers discovered a plaque dating back to ancient Greece which gave thanks to the people of Panormos from the people of Athens for allowing them to hunt in the area. The 5th century Greek historian Herodotus had mentioned a port named Panormos and it now seems possible that Panormos and Fiscardo are one and the same.
Nearest places
★
Tseledata, south
★
Katsarata, southwest
★
Germenata, northwest
Germenata is a small village 1km away from Fiskardo. It is located at the top of the hill, so there is wonderful view to the Ionian sea from there. Lefkada and Ithaki(Ithaka) are also visible. Nowadays (2006) only a few people live at Germenata.
Geography and Information

Lightning strike over Fiskardo harbour
★ Location:
★
★ Longitude: 20.4 (20°34'31") E
★
★ Latitude: 38.15 (38°27'24") N
★
Postal code: 280 84
★ Elevation: Ionian Sea (Strait of Ithaca)
★ Dialing code: +11+30-
26740 (030-26740)-51
The village is situated in a forested setting while farmlands are around Fiskardo. Forests cover most of the area. The buildings are mainly within the Bay of Fiskardo.
In the 1700s, the port became the commercial harbor of Erissos.
The
1953 Ionian earthquake did not ruin many buildings in Fiskardo, which kept its original architecture and remains the oldest on the island. Buildings are almost colorful in the centre of Fiskardo. The core has several buildings and a port built for dozens of boats. The homes after the earthquake received electricity and the road became paved, connecting it to the rest of the island.
In
2004, chef Mamalakis, for his cooking show on
Mega Channel, featured Fiskardo Melissani, along with other places, in search for cuisine on Kefalonia.
Other
Fiskardo has a small school, a church, a small post office, and a square (''
plateia'').
There is also a small Nautical Museum
Historical population
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|
| 1981 | 193 | - |
| 1991 | 158 | -35/-18.13% |
External links
★
Mapquest - Fiskardo, street map not yet available
★ Coordinates:
★
fiscardo.com
★ http://www.travel-to-kefalonia.com/place.php?place_id=5
★
Fiskardo's Nautical and Enviromnental Club - FNEC
★
e-city.gr - Fiskardo (in Greek)
★
greek/Kefalonias/Fiskardo.htm in Greek
★
Accommodation
See also
★
Communities of Kefalonia