Fiskardo

Fiskardo (Greek, Modern: Φισκάρδο, Ancient/Katharevousa: -on), lately, more commonly Fiscardo, is a village located about 54 km N of Argostoli and a district of the city of Erisos.

It is the northernmost port of the Ionian island of Kefalonia, a short distance from Ithaca. Once the village was called "Panormos" but it was later renamed after Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia and Calabria and founder of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilys who died in at the Atheras beach in 1085, during the time of Frankish (Norman) dominion in Greece. Fiskardo is also the two kilometre long bay in which the port is located. Fiskardo and the dense forest in the surrounding area have been declared areas of great natural beauty and are protected under Greek law. In recent years a small tourist industry has developed centred on luxury villas in the area around the village.

Fiskardo is located at the end of the road linking Argostoli and Fiskardo. Fiskardo serves rural roads. Fiskardo has a small and diminishing fishing fleet. The coast around Fiskardo is mainly rocky with numerous pebble-beached coves. There are numerous viewpoints in the area around the village that offer panoramic views 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 Efimia.

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 at the time that 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, northwestGermenata 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

*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

External links

* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?tb=1&city=Fiskardo&country=GR Mapquest - Fiskardo] , street map not yet available
*Coordinates: coord|38|27|24|N|20|34|31|E|region:GR
* [http://www.fiscardo.com fiscardo.com]
*http://www.travel-to-kefalonia.com/place.php?place_id=5
* [http://www.fnec.gr/FiskardoGR.htm Fiskardo's Nautical and Enviromnental Club - FNEC]
* [http://www.e-city.gr/kefalonia/home/view/1203.php/ e-city.gr - Fiskardo] (in Greek)
* [http://hellas.teipir.gr/prefectures/ greek/Kefalonias/Fiskardo.htm in Greek]
* [http://www.fiscardostudios.com Accommodation]
* [http://www.villa-romantza.gr Studios & Apartments for Rent]

ee also

*Communities of Kefalonia