Old Vlachata is a historic village in Sami, Kefalonia, whose roots are traced to the Venetian period. Once home to around 800 residents, the village developed as a traditional rural community, with farmers, livestock breeders, merchants, and artisans living among stone houses, mansions, churches, and narrow paths.
At the heart of the village was Saristra Square, the centre of community life and local celebrations. Traditional festivals, theatre, music, and religious gatherings brought residents together, reflecting the strong social character of the village.
The architecture of Old Vlachata combined Venetian and Eptanesian influences, ranging from humble stone cottages to larger neoclassical mansions. The village was severely damaged by the 1953 earthquake and was subsequently abandoned, with the settlement relocated to what is now Karavomylos.
Today, the remains of Old Vlachata stand as a powerful visual record of Kefalonia’s rural past—its ruined homes, weathered stonework, and traces of everyday life offering a glimpse into a community shaped by centuries of history and ultimately transformed by disaster.
