Although the 1953 earthquake destroyed much of the Ionian islands, on the northernmost tip of Kefalonia, the village of Fiscardo stayed almost intact. With foresight the island's governors issued strict building regulations to maintain the elegance of the Venetian architecture which lines Fiscardo's deep horseshoe harbour. Sometimes described as a sleepy fishing village, Fiscardo becomes a bustling harbour where small sailing boats, motor boats, cruisers, yachts, fishing caiques and ferries all compete for space along the quayside.