The chief place on the island of Ithaca is the sheltered port of Vathy or Itháki, probably founded by the Romans. It is charmingly situated in a bay - generally accepted as being the cove of Phorkys, in which the Phaeacians put the returning Odysseus ashore ("Odyssey", 13, 96 ff.) - defended by two Venetian forts.
Six km/4mi south of Vathy on a difficult path is the Fountain of Arethusa, beneath the Ravens' Crag ("Odyssey", 13, 408-409). Farther south is the plateau of Marathiá, with extensive plantations of olive-trees, from which there are good views. Eumaios's farmyard ("Odyssey", 14, 6) is supposed to have been in this area.
The Itháki Archeological Museum contains artifacts from the excavations at the Heraion sanctuary. The collection of small votive offerings is one of the richest in Greece. The largest free-standing sculpture to have survived from ancient Greece is the museum's star exhibit.
Always opened on: Assumption Day - Christian (August 15), Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Greek National Day (March 25), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian, Good Friday - Christian
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