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Pilikata

Pilikata is the name of the hill to the north of the village Stavros in Ithaca. Archaeological excavations indicate that this was the location of the city from the era of Odysseus, the Odyssean city, as signs of habitation date back to the early Helladic period, and according to Homer, the palace of Odysseus had a view of three seas and was surrounded by three mountains – the description fits into the area within which also lies Agios Athanasios, where archaeologists place the palace of Odysseus.

Many excavations have taken place in Pilikata from the 10th century onwards, when the archaeological interest of scientists of that time was focused on Ithaca. The English School, in the early 20th century brought to light an important part of the walls, houses and other findings, indicating that Pilikata was the only early Helladic acropolis in the Ionian islands.

Since 1994 and for many years later, the Archaeological Department of the University of Ioannina has set excavations in Pilikata. Among other things, they unearthed the drainage system of stone conduits used for the channeling of rainwater to the Odyssean city. Only parts of the city walls are still preserved, while the ruins of the settlement and the roads in Pilikata certainly indicate that in the early Helladic period it was the location of an organized settlement.

In Pilikata there is also the Archaeological Collection of northern Ithaca, the museum of Stavros .

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