Ithaca Island

By Plane: The airport of Kefallonia (IATA:EFL, ICAO:LGKF) is the nearest to Ithaca. It therefore constitutes an ideal solution for those visitors that want to arrive on the spur of the moment. On arrival, visitors journey by road to Sami (33,2 km) and then continue on to Ithaca. In the event of not having a direct connection between flights and sea routes, the crossing is covered by passenger boats.
The airport of Aktion-Preveza (ΙΑΤΑ: PVK , ΙCAO:LGPZ) is on the mainland and covers the needs of the surrounding region as well as those of Lefkada and Ithaca. Lefkada is connected by sea to Ithaca through the ports of Nydri ( 34 km from the airport) and Vasiliki ( 54,9 Km).

By Ship: The harbor of Piso Aetos receives the main volume of shipping routes. The harbors of Vathy and Frikes cater for supplementary needs.
The shipping connection of Ithaca with the mainland is through the harbours of Patras and Astakos. The duration of the trip is between two hours and thirty minutes and four hours. There is a stop in Sami in Kefallonia, depending on the route.
There are direct connections through Kefallonia and Lefkada. The geographical proximity of the three islands lessens the duration of the trip and makes island hopping a popular holiday combination. Ithaca has a direct connection with Sami in Kefallonia, and the harbour of Vasiliki in Lefkada. In the summer months there are connections to Fiskardo in Kefallonia and Nydri in Lefkada.

The origin of the name Ithaca comes from Ithakos, one of the three sons of of King Pterelaou.

The fact that classical Greek authors often used eponymous explanations to explain away names through folk etymology makes it more likely that Ithakos derives from Ithaca rather than vice versa.

Although the name Ithaca has remained unchanged since ancient times, written documents of different periods also refer to the city by other names, such as:   

Val di Compare (Valley of the Bestman), Piccola (Small) Cephallonia, Anticephallonia (Middle Ages till the beginning of the Venetian period)   

Ithaca nisos (Greek for island), Thrakoniso, Thakou, Thiakou (Byzantine period)   

Thiaki (before the Venetian period, also called so by the sailors and has remained the name used by the inhabitants)   

Teaki (Venetian period)   

Fiaki (Turkish period)

MYTHOLOGY

Ithaca, the island home of Odysseus, is one of the most popular islands in Greece.  Not only in the present, but also in antiquity and mythology.  Homer in his epics has left a legacy  to foreign and Greek  scholars, who have   debated and worked years with this project. 

In addition to Homer, older writers such as Akousilaos, said that Ithakos,  Niritos and Polyktor were the three sons of King Pterelaou who was from Jupiter. The wife of Ulysses, Penelope, was the daughter of king Icarus and Polykastis.

The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer certainly could not be written in a condensed version. These two works of great historical significance, have made ​​the history of Ithaca known world wide.  Despite centuries of invaders to the island, names and places remain unchanged to this day.  The epics of Homer prove that Ithaca is the home of Odysseus.

Ithaca was inhabited from the Neolithic period (4000-3000 BC), as evidenced by the finds from excavations in the cave of Loizou and at Pilikata.

The Odyssey by scholars begins in 1174 BC with the arrival of Odysseus to Ithaca after ten years of wandering.

References are made in the Odyssey regarding  the Cave of Eumaeus and the Cave of the Nymphs. Ulysses, who ruled until his death, was succeeded by his son Telemachus.

ANCIENT HISTORY

From 1000-800 BC Ithaca was conquered by the Dorians and after by the Corinthians until 180 BC, when Ithaca was conquered by the Romans.

The Romans remained in the island until 394 AD, most of the population  lived in the north. From 394 AD Ithaca becomes part of the Byzantine Empire, which established the Christian cult and built churches and monasteries.

MIDDLE AGES

In 1185 the island was conquered by the Normans and then passes into the hands of the Orsini family in 1204, Tocchi family in 1357, and then in 1479 the Turks,  who pillaged and killed much of the inhabitants.

The Turkish occupation lasted until 1503, when the island was sold to the Venetians.

MODERN HISTORY

The Venetian rule lasted until 1797, which then saw the first French occupation. The population of Paleochora,  Anogi and Exogi increase greatly and Vathi is the capital of the island.

In 1799 the Ionian islands are occupied by the Russo-Turkish occupation for a short period and then returns to the hands of the French. The French rule, although short-term had a positive impact on residents of the Ionian islands. The new social doctrines, the principles of freedom and equality of the French Revolution revive a sense of freedom and fatherland in the souls of the Ionian Islands.

In 1809 begins the period of British rule and the founding of the independent state,  'United States of Ionian Islands " and ruled constitutional by the Ionian Parliament.  Interest in Homeric  Ithaca began, the economy flourished, and the social life is upgraded.

On 21 May, 1864 the international political situation led to the union of Eftanison (Ionian Islands) with Greece.

In  recent history, many Ithacacians have business interests in the Balkans and world wide. The island is modernized in the beginning of the 20th century. The construction of public buildings, opening new roads, the electrical plant opens in 1923, the island's shipping develops and the intellectual life is active. 

But in 1953 the island is hit by an earthquake that destroyed  most of the settlements and villages.  With the help of the state and many Ithacaan immigrants, the island was rebuilt.

Source: www.ithaki.gr