Ithaki
Population: 3,231 (2011)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Ithaki is the fifth-largest of the Ionian Islands. It lies South of Lefkada. The main island is 23 km (14 miles) long and 6 km (4 miles) wide at its largest. It consists of two parts connected by the narrow isthmus of Aetos (Eagle), just 600 meters wide. The two parts enclose the bay of Molos, whose southern branch is the harbour of Vathy, the capital and largest settlement of the island. The second-largest village is Stavros in the Northern part. The tallest mountain is Nirito in the Northern part at 806 meters.
Ithaki’s economy is mainly based on fishing, however, it also produces its own olive oil and wine. Tourism is not as developed as much as it is in the rest of the islands because access to the island is a little harder.
Many Ithacans are sailors or immigrants that live in foreign countries.
The medieval village of Anogi, Loizos Cave and Katharon Monastery are must-visit places when on Ithaki.
Ithaki is famous all over the world as the home place of Odysseus, the mythical hero of Homer. You can visit the cave of the Nymphs where Odysseus, returning from Troy, hid the gifts of Phaecians.
The Island & Its History
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The island took its name from Ithacus, son of Poseidon and Amphimele.
It is also believed that the name of the island comes from the Phoenician word “Utica”, which means ‘distant colony’, or from the word “Ithys”, which means ‘cheerful’.
The island has been inhabited since the 2nd millennium BC. It may have been the capital of Cephalonia during the Mycenaean period and the capital-state of the small kingdom ruled by Odysseus.
After being invaded and fought over for centuries in 1830 the locals requested to join the newly restored nation-state of Greece. In 1864 Ithaki, along with the remaining six Ionian islands, was ceded to Greece, by the UK, as a gesture of diplomatic friendship to Greece’s new Anglophile king, George I. The United Kingdom kept its privileged use of the harbour at Corfu.
There have been many earthquakes on the island most notable was the earthquake of 1953 which almost flattened the entire island!
Prayer Points
- Spiritual awareness of the island’s inhabitants
- Workers for spreading the message of God’s love to local people
- Church planting
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