Ithaca island description and photos - Greece: Kefalonia Island (Topic)

Ithaca island description and photos - Greece: Kefalonia Island. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. Name in English - Ithaca island.

Photo and description

The legendary Greek Ithaca is one of the Ionian Islands. It is located to the east of the northwestern coast of Kefalonia, from which it is separated by a small strait. This small, picturesque island is literally surrounded by greenery. Ithaca is often referred to as the birthplace of Homeric Odysseus, although no reliable confirmation of this has been found.

Most likely, the island was inhabited as early as 3000-2000 BC, but Ithaca reached its highest economic and cultural flourishing in the Mycenaean period (1500-1100 BC). It is believed that the island was the capital of the Ionian Kingdom, which was one of the most powerful states of that time, and the port of Ithaca played an important role in trade relations throughout the Mediterranean. Over time, Ithaca's influence and population declined significantly, but, nevertheless, the island continued to live its rather active life (as evidenced by archaeological excavations). The island has repeatedly changed its owners. Replacing each other came the Romans, Franks, Byzantines, Turks, Venetians, French, British ... This continued until 1864, when Ithaca, along with other Ionian Islands joined Greece.

The capital of the island of Ithaca is the city of Vati, which located on the shores of one of the largest natural harbors in the world. It is a cozy town with mainly two-storey houses covered with red tiles, cobblestone streets and architectural reminders of the Venetian era. During the holiday season, the city harbor is full of beautiful snow-white yachts. The small Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Folklore and Culture are worth visiting in the city. Not far from Vathi is the legendary Cave of the Nymphs, the source of Aretusa and the ruins of the ancient city of Alalkomen. Interesting

There is an archaeological museum in the city of Stavros (the second largest settlement on the island). It contains ancient relics found in Loiza Cave and during excavations on Pelicata Hill near the city. But the main attraction is undoubtedly the ruins of an ancient palace, which many historians describe as the possession of the legendary Odysseus.

Picturesque Ithaca is famous for its beautiful beaches and secluded coves with crystal clear waters, and the fascinating ancient history of the island attracts here every year more and more tourists.

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Topic: Ithaca island description and photos - Greece: Kefalonia Island.