Ithaca Paleohora

General information

Paleochora village Ithaca: Paleochora, literally meaning Old Village, used to be the capital of the island during the middle Ages and the beginning of the Venetian period. It is located 3 km from the town of Vathy.

The village remains abandoned since the 16th century and today you will see nothing more but ancient ruins. Houses in Paleochora were built of wood and stone with narrow windows, like little fortresses, as a defense against the pirates.

The houses were not built next to each other as most of the fortified villages, inhabitants were coming from different places and there was no trust between them. Ruins of those houses and old churches with fine Byzantine frescoes still exist there and worth a visit.