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Ithaca - Culture

An island with a history that dates back thousands of years, a worldwide symbol of nostos and of the love we feel for our homeland, Ithaca could show nothing less than a rich culture, that is part of the life of its inhabitants and its visitors.

Spread throughout the island are archaeological sites, full of significant findings, whereas the Homeric references hold a special place in Ithaca's culture: even though researchers claim that he had never set foot on the island, the way he describes Ithaca is like he is talking directly to the visitor about what he is seeing, and his descriptions are still relevant today. The byzantine tradition and the Venetian rule have left their own marks on Ithaca's culture and their influence is most visible at the monasteries and churches of the island.

The museums of Ithaca are the safeguards of the ancient cultural history of the island, while at Ithaca's feasts, full of the Ionian spirit, you will get the chance to meet the contemporary traditions of the island. A significant number of cultural associations and centers play an important role in the cultural life of the island, while the small Ionian island has also a big tradition in sports.

Finally, the sights of Ithaca, that may refer to its culture and history, but also its natural beauties, will leave no visitor untouched.

  • Dormition of Virgin Mary at Perachori

    The church of the Dormition of Virgin Mary at Perachori is located at the highest point of the village, and it ends where the forest begins.

  • Public Library

    The public library is part of the Educational Center of Ithaca and has more than 10.000 books.

  • Municipal stadium of Ithaca

    The Municipal Stadium of Ithaca was founded in 1959, with a donation made by Gerasimos Stathatou, during Nicholas Koliva's term as Mayor.

  • Football Club (Odisseas)

    Football Club "Odisseas" (Ulysses), with its headquarters in Stavros, Ithaca. It was established in 1980.

  • Sports Club (Proodos)

    The sports club of Ithaca "Proodos" was founded in 1950, originally functioning as a club with a variety of activities.

  • Feast in Kathara

    Every year, on September 7th, a big feast - the Feast in Kathara - is held in the courtyard right in front of the belfry.

  • Feast of Virgin Mary in Anogi

    On the eve of the celebration of Virgin Mary, 15th of August, do not miss the feast of Virgin Mary in Anogi.

  • Feast of the Savior

    On the 5th and 6th of August a large feast takes place on the main square of the village Stavros - the Feast of the Savior.

  • Wine Festival

    On the last Saturday of July, the Welfare Association of Perachori organizes a large wine festival, with plenty of free local wine.

  • Feast of Saint Elias

    Feast of Saint Elias - on 20th of July, the day of celebration of Saint Elias, a large feast of music and dancing takes place at the beach of Kioni.

  • Ayia (Saint) Marina Fair

    Ayia (Saint) Marina Fair, celebrated on the 17th of July. The day when the small village of Exogi overflows with people and life!

  • Educational Center

    Educational Center - established in 1957, with a hall of 200 square meters, used for various cultural events, lectures and conferences.

  • Philharmonic orchestra

    The philharmonic orchestra participates in all the events of the island, educational, municipal, religious, ethnic and other.

  • Elliniko

    Elliniko is located in the wider region of Marathias and is rich with archaeological findings of an undefined era.

  • Laertes Property

    Laertes Property - situated in the region of Aetos, according to the Odyssey, it is the place where Ulysses met his father Laertes.

  • Evmaios Cave

    Situated in southern Ithaca, the Evmaios cave is hard to access. Somewhere in the wider area, according to tradition, was the sty of Evmaios.

  • Tikti Crini

    Tikti Crini (fountain) - a type of artificial reservoir used in Mycenaean towns, in order to secure water for its inhabitants.

  • Agios Athanasios, School of Homer

    In Agios Athanasios of northern Ithaca was according to archaeologists the palace of Odysseus.

  • Cave of the Nymphs

    The Cave of the Nymphs is where Odysseus hid the gifts of Phaeacians when he returned to Ithaca.

  • Cave of Loizos

    The Cave of Loizos is located on the beach of Poli, in northern Ithaca and many objects of archaeological interest have been found there.

  • Bust of Odysseus

    The bust of Odysseus stands in the park of the central square of Stavros, in northern Ithaca.

  • Pilikata

    In Pilikata, the small hill to the north of Stavros of Ithaca, where, according to the archaeologists, lies the Odyssean city.

  • Marathias

    Marathias is the plateau in southern Ithaca, with archaeological sites and many attractions that you can visit.

  • Representation of the Odyssean Palace

    The architectural Representation of the Odyssean Palace, located in the park of Stavros, in northern Ithaca.

  • Αρεθούσα Κρήνη

    Μια πηγή με γλυκό νερό, πόσιμο, στη μέση της πλαγιάς του απόκρημνου γκρεμού κάτω από το οροπέδιο του Μαραθιά, στη νότιο Ιθάκη, είναι η Αρεθούσα Κρήνη. Αυτό είναι το ομηρικό της όνομα, ενώ στους ντόπιους είναι γνωστή και ως «Πέρα Πηγάδι». Στην παραλία από κάτω, που οδηγεί το κατηφορικό μονοπάτι, βρίσκεται η παραλία Πέρα Πηγάδι, ενώ ο μεγάλος βράχος στα δεξιά της Αρεθούσας Κρήνης είναι η Πέτρα του Κόρακα. Πρόκειται στην ουσία για ένα αστέρευτο πηγάδι που βρίσκεται στο άνοιγμα του βράχου.

  • Αλαλκομενές

    Είναι ο λόφος του Πίσω Αετού, στην κορυφή του οποίου έχει εντοπιστεί η αρχαία ακρόπολη της πόλης των Αλαλκομενών. Ο χώρος έχει ανασκαφεί πολλές φορές, ήδη από τον 19ο αιώνα τουλάχιστον. Τα απομεινάρια των τειχών της είναι εντυπωσιακά, κυρίως λόγω του μεγέθους των ογκολίθων που τα αποτελούν, με αποτέλεσμα τα τείχη των Αλαλκομενών στην Ιθάκη να είναι γνωστά και ως «Κυκλώπεια».

  • Alalkomenes

    The ancient akropolis of Alalkomenes is located in Piso Aetos of Ithaca and is considered as an important settlement of the post-odyssean era.

  • Bust of Homer

    The bust of Homer is located in the center of the square of Ithaca, in Vathi and the unveiling took place in 2011.

  • Statue of Odysseus

    The statue of Odysseus in the port of Ithaca, standing very close to the central square.

  • Agios Nikolas (Vathi)

    The church of Agios Nikolas (Saint Nicolas) at Vathi, Ithaca.

  • Virgin Mary of Lefki

    Virgin Mary of Lefki, situated at the beautiful village of Lefki, famous for the marvelous wood-carved iconostasis, donation from the immigrants of Odessa.

  • Temple of John the Baptist

    Temple of John the Baptist, located at the port of Kioni, Ithaca and famous for the beautiful icon of Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

  • Panagia at Pernarakia

    The monastery of Panagia at Pernarakia is located approximately 2 km outside the village of Exogi at the top of the mountain called "Pernarakia".

  • Panagia Spileotissa

    The chapel of Panagia Spileotissa is in southern Ithaca, built in a cave on the mountainside above Antri, the southernmost bay of Ithaca.

  • Moni Taxiarchon

    Moni Taxiarchon dates back to 1613 and it is located three kilometers outside of Perachori, in Ithaca.

  • Metropolitan Cathedral

    The Metropolitan Cathedral of Ithaca is located at Vathi and it is the central church of Ithaca.

  • Iera Moni Katharon

    Iera Moni Katharon is the most important monastery of Ithaca and the bell tower of the monastery offers an excellent view of the harbor at Vathi.

  • The Church of Anogi

    The church of Anogi in Ithaca is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the Balkans, as it dates from the 12th century and hosts great icons.

  • Agios Fanouris

    The chapel of Agios Fanouris is located in Kavos, the western district of the city of Ithaca.

  • Agia Sofia

    The church of Agia Sofia is located in a beautiful location that combines both the mountain and the sea, just 3 km away from Vathi.

  • Agios Raphael

    The Church of Agios Raphael is located at Perachori, Ithaca, in honor of Agios Raphael, who was tortured by the Turks and died as a martyr, on 9 April 1463.

  • Agios Nicholaos of Xenon (of the Foreigners)

    The church of Agios Nicholaos of Xenon, where there is an icon with the hagiography of "Jesus Elkomenos", which is attributed by many to El Greco.

  • Agios Nicholaos at Mavronas

    Agios Nicholaos at Mavronas is an old monastery that is located in the beautiful homonymous bay, at Kioni of northern Ithaca.

  • Saint John the Theologian

    The church of Saint John the Theologian is located in the courtyard of Agios Raphael at Perachori, in Ithaca.

  • Saint Andrews

    The picturesque chapel that welcomes the visitors at the entrance of the harbor of Ithaca, is dedicated to Saint Andrews and stands right next to the sea.

  • Maritime- Folklore Museum of Ithaca

    In the Maritime- Folklore Museum of Ithaca in the capital of the island you will find the rich history of the folklore tradition of Ithaca.

  • Archaeological Museum of Ithaca

    The Archaeological Museum of Ithaca is located in Vathi, behind the beach, in the region of the Cathedral.

  • Archaeological Collection of Northern Ithaca

    Archaeological Collection of Northern Ithaca - located in Stavros, houses the findings of archaeological excavations from the northern part of Ithaca.

  • The house of Karaiskakis

    At Kioni, at the end of the beach, there is an old stone house, that according to the tradition, used to be the house of Karaiskakis.

  • Pyramids

    The Pyramids of Exogi are a funerary monument, located at the end of a small village, in the north of Ithaca.

  • Paleochora

    Paleochora is the medieval village of Ithaca, situated on the slope opposite Perachori, and can be reached by following a short path.

  • Mills of Kioni

    Mills of Kioni is one of the most characteristic images of Kioni, as they complete the landscape when the visitor faces the picturesque harbor.

  • Menir

    The menirs at Anogi of Ithaca are huge stones, similar to those of Obelix, from the comic book Astérix!

  • Μέγαρο Δρακούλη

    Το Μέγαρο Δρακούλη, βρίσκεται στο Βαθύ, την πρωτεύουσα του νησιού. Πρόκειται για το μεγάλο, εντυπωσιακό νεοκλασσικό με τους κίονες και τα εντυπωσιακά μοτίβα στην παραλία της Ιθάκης, στο κέντρο του λιμανιού.

  • Megaro Drakouli

    Megaro Drakouli is a neoclassical building on the beach of Ithaca. It belongs to one of the oldest families of Ithaca.

  • Venetian Cannons

    The Venetian Cannons in Ithaca are located at the entrance of the harbor, on a hill above the beach Loutsas.

  • Angira (Anchor)

    Angira (Anchor) is a monument dedicated to the sailors of Ithaca who were lost at sea.

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