Ionian & Kythira Islands Archaeological Sites - Ancient Acropolis (Ithaca Island)

Ithaca is an island, very important from archeological interest. On the top of Aetos hill are the remains of the ancient Acropolis. According to locals these are the remains of Odysseus’ palace. The truth is that the identity is not quite clear yet. It might be the town of Alalkomenes or the Ithakisian State of Aristotle.

Ionian & Kythira Islands Archaeological Sites - Palaeopolis (Corfu Island)

The archaeological site of Palaeopolis is the site of the ancient market of Corfu town, as it evolved from the ancient times till the 6th century AD. The most important archeological monuments of the site are the following: the agora, the doric temple of Kardaki, the roman baths and a pre-Hellenistic round building, which was transformed into a Christian church during the first Christian era.

Ionian & Kythira Islands Archaeological Sites - The Cave of Drakena (Kefalonia Island)

The cave of Drakena exists in the southern part of Vohinas at an altitude of 70 meters. Excavations and archaeological research associate it with the Prehistoric era, when it was used as a lodging, but also with the Historic and the Hellenistic era, when it was used as a place of worship. The excavation findings are mainly ceramics, religious artefacts, idols- mainly female- and animals' bones from sacrifices. Evidence of human presence can also be found in the cave, like walls, fire places and floors.

Ionian & Kythira Islands Archaeological Sites - The caste of Agia Mavra (Lefkada Island)

The caste of Agia Mavra is located at the entrance of the island. It is one of the most imposing medieval buildings in Greece, representing the fortification art of this period. It was built around 1300 by a Frank leader, Ioannis Orsini.The castle protected the capital of the island. It was the most important defensive armoring against pirates and other enemies, from the first decade of 1300 until 1684 when it was overtaken by Turks.

Ionian & Kythira Islands Archaeological Sites - Minoan Holy Mount (Kithira Island)

The Mount of St George is just a few kms from the archaeological site of Paleohora. It was a sacred mount during the Minoan period of Kastri. It was used during the first half of the 2nd millennium BC and is the only one found so far that has not been looted. Its peak was during the new palace period of 1700-1400 BC when Crete dominated the Mediterranean and Kythira was the stopgap between Crete and the Peloponnese.

The first excavations were undertaken in 1922 and others in 1993-4 leading to the discovery of many artefacts of the Minoan and later periods signifying that this was a sacred place for over 3,500 years. Examples of the artefacts are: stoneware religious objects, earthenware animal figurines, bronze human figurines and offerings, jewellery and ceramics.