The Village of Dikhalia
The village from the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed on the island of Kefalonia. To find the exact filming location read on or click on the map pointer in the image section above.
“Antonio, do you remember our island? It does not change. On the feast day of Saint Gerasimos we still bring our sick to the holy place and pray that their suffering may cease.”
Dr. Iannis
Where did they film the village scenes?
The filmmakers built the Dikhalia village filming set near the remains of the real village with the same name. You will find the filming location in the east part of the island Kefalonia, Greece, between the Paliouras Beach and the Antisamos Beach. It is only 5 min drive away from the town of Sami.
The real village of Dikhalia was completely destroyed by the major Ionian earthquake in 1953. You won’t find any buildings there since the village was built for the movie only and was later dismantled completely. However, there still is one small house standing. Dr. Iannis (John Hurt) came out of this house after he cured his patient at the beginning of the movie.
Hint: Click the map pointer icon in the image area at the top for the exact map location.
Some of the scenes filmed at Dikhalia:
The doctor steps out of his patient’s house
Dr. Iannis (John Hurt) removes a pea from the ear of his patient Mr. Stamatis (Gerasimos Skiadaressis). When he finishes his work he leaves his patients house and goes toward the village of Dikhalia.
Listening to the reports about the war
People are in the main square of the town between the church and the tavern. While some of them are playing outside and some are sitting around the square, others inside the tavern are listening to the development of the war on the radio.
Dr. Iannis and Pelagia walk home
When Dr. Iannis and Pelagia (Penélope Cruz) walk home they talk about a possible marriage between Pelagia and Mandras (Christian Bale).
Drafting for the army
In the main square, a solder is drafting young man into the greek army to fight against the Italian in Albania.
Madras playes a prank on Pelagia
Madras first declares his love for Pelagia in front of the assembled villagers. Then he humiliates her by playing a prank on her in front of everybody.
Celebrating the end of the war
Italians drive into the village singing and celebrating the Italian surrender to the allies.
