Roman Villa in Skala, Cephalonia

About the museum

In a small olive grove near the shore, on the bank of a torrent and just outside the coastal village of Skala, the ruins of a villa of the 2nd century AD were uncovered in 1957. Here survives the most important ensemble of mosaics in Cephalonia. Six spaces are preserved, and most of the rooms have mosaic floors. In one of them survives the symbolic depiction of Envy (Phthonos), shown as a young man torn apart by beasts; a metrical epigram names the mosaicist Krateros as the artist.

The villa was probably destroyed by fire in the 4th century AD. On part of it an early Christian church was built, which survived until the 9th–10th century, when it too was destroyed by fire. In the late Byzantine period the chapel of Saint Athanasios was built on the ruins of the church.

Highlights

• The most important mosaic ensemble in Cephalonia
• Mosaic with the depiction of Envy and an epigram by the mosaicist Krateros
• Six spaces with mosaic floors
• Early Christian church and chapel of Saint Athanasios on the ruins

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Κεφαλληνίας και Ιθάκης

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The site is 7 minutes on foot from the central square of Skala. By car it is 18 minutes from the port of Poros, 47 minutes from the Cephalonia airport, 48 minutes from Argostoli and 51 minutes from the port of Sami.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit