Why Visit
The island is famous for being the island of the mythical Odysseus (Ulysses) whose exploits have been described by the famous Greek lyric poet Homer, in the Odyssey. Every visitor will fall in love with the many charms of the Island. This wonderful, verdant island is separated from the island of Kefalonia by a narrow canal, only 3 kilometers wide.
The east coast of the island is harsh and precipitous, greatly contrasting with the west coast which is verdant and soft, gently sloping down to the Ionian Sea. The interior of the island is quite mountainous, covered with pine forests, cypresses, olive trees and vineyards. Enchanting coves are perfecting this idyllic landscape, making it a real paradise on earth. The interior of the island is quite mountainous, covered with pine forests, cypresses, olive trees and vineyards. Enchanting coves are perfecting this idyllic landscape, making it a real paradise on earth.
Fortunately, Ithaca has not yet been spoiled by mass tourism, mostly because it is an unknown destination and doesn't fit the expectations of the people usually looking for exciting night life and large crowded sandy beaches, fully equipped with sun beds and umbrellas.
Ithaca is not that kind of island. It is a calm and beautiful destination, ideal for those searching for relaxation, peaceful walks, calm swimming in emerald waters, small single coves boarded by pine and olive trees, and great calm.
History
Ancient times
No doubt the history of Ithaca is strongly connected to the myth of Odysseus, although the palace of Olysseus has not been discovered yet. Ithaca has been inhabited since the prehistoric times, as the other islands of the Ionians. Proofs of an early life in ancient Ithaca provide the shards that were found at Pilikata, with inscription in Linear A, dating back to prehistoric times. All seven Ionian Islands shared the same lack, as they were constantly invaded mostly due to their location on the trade. The island of Ithaca met its greatest glory around 1000 BC, when the kingdom of Ithaca was constituted by all the Ionian Islands and a part of the coast of Acarnania, in the mainland of Greece. The first ancient occupiers to rule the Ionians were the Mycenaeans, who have left significant traces. It is believed that the ancient capital of the island was Alalcomenae.
During the Classical period, Ithaca and all the Ionians were home to several independent city states, which later joined one of the great leagues led by Corinth, Athens and Sparta. Those league divisions triggered to the Peloponnesian War, in 431 BC. All the Ionian Islands were threatened by Macedonian invasions during Hellenistic times. The Romans finally managed to take control of the region in 187 BC. During the Roman times, Ithaca was part of the eparchy of Illyria. When the Emperor Constantine divided the Roman Empire during the 4th century AD, Ithaca became part of the Byzantine Empire, till it was occupied by the Normans in 1185 and the Angevins in the 13th century.
Medieval times
In the 12th century, Ithaca was ceded to the Orsini family and later to the Tocchi Family. With the help of the Tocchi family, the island of Ithaca developed into an independent state with a fully equipped army and naval fleet. This Venetians showed their power until 1479 through trade and some splendid constructions, whose ruins can still be seen in the area.
Eventually the Venetians left Ithaca, fearing the great power of the Turks who wanted to annex the Ionian Islands. The same year, Turks took the command of Ithaca by force, killing its inhabitants and destroying the villages. Most of the inhabitants of the island left their homeland fearing the Turkish occupiers. Those who stayed found shelter in the mountains. During the following five years, the Turks and the Venetians kept arguing about the control of the Ionians. Finally, the islands were given to the Turkish Empire. Nevertheless, the Venetians managed to strengthened and organize their fleet and started a war against the Turks in 1499. Finally, the Venetians regained the Ionians in 1500 AD and a treaty was signed by the Turks, mentionning that Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakinthos belonged to the Venetians, while Leukada remained under Turkish rule.
During the Venetian occupation, the population of Ithaca, which had decreased from the frequent pirate raids and the Turkish attacks, started growing and developing again, and Vathy became the capital of the island. The cultivation, especially of raisin, ameliorated the economical situation of the inhabitants of Ithaca, and ships were built to confront the pirates, leading to the development and the power of the island's shipping industry and the improvement of the society. The island was considered as semi-independent, ruled with a liberal system of democracy, without any social classes. The Ionians remained under the control of Venice until the defeat of Venice by Napoleon in 1797, when they came under the rule of the French Democrats. Ithaca became the honorary capital of Kefalonia, Lefkada and a part of the Greek mainland. The French were succeeded by Russia and Turkey in 1798, which were their allies, and Corfu became the capital of the Ionian States.
Recent years
In 1807, after an agreement with Turkey, the Ionian Islands returned under the French rule, who prepared to face the powerful English fleet by fortifying the town and capital of Vathy. In 1809, the Ionian island came under English rule and the Ionian State was formed, governed by a Constitution imposed in 1817 where Ithaca was represented by one member (in the Ionian Senate). During the years of the Greek Revolution against the Turks, Ithaca offered hospitality and medical care to the revolutionaries and participated in the War of Independence of 1821, participating in the Hellenic Revolutionary fleet. Productivity, trade, private and communal education developed and increased the leaving standard on Ithaca. In 1864, because of the international situation in Europe and of a series of negotiations, Ithaca was finally liberated and, with the other Ionian Islands, became a part of the New Greek State. During the Second World War, the island suffered from the Italian and the German occupation.
Museums - Archeological
Ithaca is famous since the ancient times as it is refereed by the ancient poet Homer in both his epics. The first traces of human presence on Ithaca date from the Neolithic times, however the island played a major role in various periods of the Greek history.
In Vathy, the capital of the island, visitors can see the Archaeological Museum which hosts a vast collection of findings from the ancient years, the Prehistoric and Roman times. Many items from the excavated sites of Pisaetos, Kioni and other regions of Ithaca are also on display.
Another archaeological collection can be viewed in Stavros, a mountainous village of Ithaca, where visitors will have a unique chance to admire pieces of pottery and ceramics, Hellenistic tombs and stone tools from various historical periods.
Beaches
Filiatro, Agios Ioannis, Aetos, Dexa, Frikes, Gidaki, Minimata, Pisaetos, Polis, Rachi, Skinos Bay, Loutsa, Marmaka, Sarakiniko Bay
Religious Monasteries and Churches
Most of the worthseeing churches of Ithaca can be seen in the nothern part of the island, between the villages Anoghi and Agios Ioannis. One should definitely visit the monastery of Kathariotissa located in a breathtaking spot, at a high altitude between the village of Anogi and Agios Ioannis. It is dedicated to the Virgin, the saint protector of the island and is considered the religious symbol for the locals. The monastery offers a plethora of beautiful frescoes and a great panoramic view to Ithaca harbor.
Moving down to the picturesque village of Perahori you will meet the church of the Dormition of the Virgin with its impressive frescoes and its wood carved iconostasis. On the mountain slopes of Perahori lies also the monastery of Taxiarches. North-east of the island's capital, in Kioni, is found the monastery of Agios Nikolaos. It was built by the inhabitants after their victory against the pirates attack. The monastery operated until the 19th century. In the village of Exogi you will meet the church of Agia Varvara.
