|
Main Towns of Ithaca
The island
of Ithaca is the second smallest of the Ionian Islands. It is
roughly 37 square miles (or 96 square kilometers). The population is
roughly 3500 inhabitants. The island is located to the northeast
coast of Kefalonia. The historical origins of the name Ithaca can be
traced to the Ancient Greek poem, The Odyssey by Homer, where the
island home of Odysseus is named Ithaca. Some olive oil, wine and
currants are produced on the island, but most other produce must be
imported due to its lack of arable land. The port of the island is
Itháki (Vathý). Itháki is well protected, being that it is situated
in a horseshoe shaped inlet in the bay. This is one of the world’s
largest natural harbors.
The municipality of Ithaca includes multiple other islands, with the
main islands being Arkoudi, Atokos and the numerous islands located
in the Echinades Islands group. The largest towns in Ithaca are
Itháki, Perachóri, Stavrós, Platreithiá, and Kióni. Other main towns
are Bathi, Agogi, Stavros, Exogi , Kioni, Platrithia, Lefki, Frikes,
Perahori and Hani.
The capital of Ithaca is Bathi, which is located at the end of a bay
on the south side of the island. It is picturesque with an old
island church, an old Venetian fort and many archaeological sites.
Located outside of town is the famed cave of Nymfon where, according
to legend, Odysseus hid the presents of the Faiakes.
The town of Agogi is located on top of a mountain and has amazing
waterfront views. Located nearby is the Monastery of Kathara.
Stravos is located towards the northern part of the island and
supposedly is the location of Homer’s Ithaca. 2nd millennium BC
artifacts have been unearthed in Stravos. The town that is claimed
to have the most spectacular mountainous views on the island is that
of Exogi.
Kioni is recommended as one of the towns most worthy of visiting due
to its beaches and lively marine life. The town of Frikes has
retained its immense and everlasting charm. A fishing village with
only 50 residents, it is home to amazing beaches and claimed to have
infinite calmness.
Home
Ionian Islands
History
The 1953
earthquake
Copyright
FriendsOfIthaca 2007
|
