Filming Location
The Celebration of Saint Gerasimos

The stone terrace where villagers dance on Saint Gerasimos Day in the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” was filmed on the island of Kefalonia, Greece. For those interested in the exact filming location, you can click on the map pointer in the navigation area.

“Ready, children? Cover your ears.”

Velisarios, The Strongman

Where did they film the traditional dance scene?

On the day of Saint Gerasimos, villagers gather to perform a traditional Greek dance on a stone terrace. This intriguing scene can be found near the ruins of the Ancient Acropolis of Sami, resting on Apitha Mountain, overlooking the port town of Sami on the island of Kefalonia, Greece.

This particular stone terrace was used in two scenes in “Captain Corelli’s Mandoline.” The first scene occurs at the beginning of the movie when Dr. Iannis (John Hurt) introduces his island and its celebration of Saint Gerasimos. The second scene revolves around Saint Gerasimos as well and sets the stage for Pelagia’s (Penélope Cruz) reunion with Captain Antonio Corelli (Nicolas Cage).

The scene filmed at the stone terrace

Set against the stunning backdrop of Kefalonia, the stone terrace scene perfectly captures the essence of Greek tradition. The vivid dance sequence on the terrace offers a glimpse into the island’s rich cultural heritage. This scene, portraying the day of Saint Gerasimos, serves as both a captivating introduction to the story and a meaningful moment that precedes a critical reunion in the plot.