The island of Ithaca

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Olga    Agelopoulou
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Email:tedkki@   compulink.gr  

South of Lefkada and east of Kefalonia is situated the historic island of Ithaca, Ulysses’ homeland.  

 

The island is believed to have been named after the mythical hero Ithakos, son of Posidon and Amfimilis, who also was the island’s first inhabitant.

 

 

 

Ithaca is the fifth largest island (surface: 96 km² ) of the Ionian Sea.It is a long, narrow island who’s highest peak is Niritos (800 m).  

Ithaca combines perfectly the beauty of the all-green mountains with the crystal clear blue sea and the rocky sea shores with the sandy beaches. Its beaches enchant the visitor and the trees reaching the beach create a scenery of unique beauty, combining wildness with tranquility. Vathi is the island’s capital. Lefki, Kioni, Frikes, Anogi, Exogi, Perahori and Stavros are Ithaca’s main villages.

Ithaca’s economy relies on fishing, oil production, wine-making and tourism.

Oil, wine and raisins are the island’s main products. Both of them have been important throughout the island’s history and since they were exported to foreign markets they became one of the island’s resources. The cultivation of olive trees and the production of oil have been recorded since the Homeric epics. The vineyard cultivation has never stopped on the island. Vineyards still cover various fields on the island and the wine produced is of superb quality.

Cattle-raising and cheese-making are equally developed in Ithaca. Last but not least, apiculture is also included among the inhabitants’ activities. The island’s flora gives the raw material for the production of superb honey.

Using all these products women prepare delicious pastries and famous dishes like “rovani”, “savoro” and meat prepared in the special kettle called “tserepa”.

Ithaca is worldwide known from the Homeric Epic Odyssey, as a symbol of nostalgia and love for one’s country.
Lately it has been discovered by many tourists, who prefer Ithaca’s beauties from other much frequented Ionian islands.