The Roman villa of Skala is a villa of the 2nd century AD in a small olive grove near the coast of Kefalonia, a short walk from the village of Skala. Its mosaic floors are the most important collection of mosaics on the island, and one of them names its maker (the operator).
What is there today
Six rooms of the villa survive, most of them with mosaic floors, now under a protective roof with a walkway (the operator; the photograph). One floor shows Envy as a young man being devoured by wild beasts, framed by geometric patterns, and a verse inscription names the mosaicist, Krateros, as its artist (the operator).
After a fire, most likely in the 4th century, part of the villa was replaced by an early Christian church, which lasted until it too burned, in the 9th or 10th century; a chapel of Saint Athanasios was built over its ruins in the Late Byzantine period (the operator).
Is it worth the trip?
Yes, if you are near Skala: its mosaics are the most important on the island, in an olive grove near the coast, a 7-minute walk from the village square, for €5 (the operator). With six rooms it is a small site, better as a short visit than a special journey, and in winter it opens only by appointment.
Getting there
The villa is a 7-minute walk from Skala’s central square, 18 minutes by car from the port of Poros, 48 minutes from Argostoli and 47 from the airport; the KTEL bus from Argostoli takes 1 hour 10 minutes (the operator). A small car park is mapped next to the site (OpenStreetMap).
From 1 April to 31 October it opens 08.30–15.30 and is closed on Tuesdays; from 1 November to 31 March it opens by appointment only, on +30 26710 27546. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing; it is shut on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25–26 December. A ticket is €5, reduced €3, and entry is free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and on the first and third Sunday of each month from November to March (hh.gr, read 9 October 2026 — check before travelling).
Visiting details
- Opening hours
- From 1 April to 31 October 08.30–15.30, closed on Tuesdays; from 1 November to 31 March by appointment only (+30 26710 27546). Last entry 20 minutes before closing. Closed 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25–26 December.
- Tickets
- €5; reduced €3. Free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September and 28 October, and on the first and third Sunday of each month from November to March.
- Parking
- A 7-minute walk from the central square of Skala (the operator); a small car park is mapped about 35 m from the villa (OSM node/6669930789), and the KTEL bus stop in Skala about 280 m away (node/4267841589).
Hours and prices checked 9 October 2026 on the operator's own site. Confirm before travelling.
History
The villa was excavated in 1957 (the operator). Under Trajan, around 110, Kefalonia became part of the new Roman province of Epirus, governed from Nicopolis (en.wikipedia).
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from the records below, each used under the licence noted.