In Medieval Paleochora
In Medieval Paleochora: Perachori - Medieval Paleochora - Cave of Nymphs
The walker’s/tourist's orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.
Route’s type: linear
Route’s duration: 40 minutes
Route’s length: 2.200m
Level of difficulty: easy
Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it
The route
An easy and pleasant linear route that can be done back and forth along the same route or only in one direction if there is provision for the hikers' transition at the beginning (Perachori) and of course provision for the hikers' pick up at the end (Cave of Nymphs).
The route starts next to the cemetery in Perachori where there is good signposting and it continues on a concrete road slightly uphill. Shortly afterwards it turns left in front of a fenced plot and continues along the dry stone wall. There is also relevant signage. The road becomes a paved path with several shadows in lush countryside. As the slightly uphill route continues, the view becomes more and more exceptional towards Vathi, Perachori, Afentiko Logos and includes more and more places until the walker gazes at the bay of Molos, Atoko, in the distance Sterea Ellada and the other beaches around Vathi.
The path is well-maintained, after a generous investment, and includes built benches, a kiosk, good signage, etc. However, proper maintenance has not been carried out in recent years and in many places the damage is very obvious and in some cases the path needs special attention, while some of the equipment has been discredited by vegetation.
After a short but slightly uphill walk, the walker reaches Agios Ioannis (Petaliatiko) which actually marks the area of Medieval Paleochora where ruins are visible and characterize the landscape. During the route, the walker, apart from the ruins of the Medieval Paleochora, can observe several centenarian olive trees.
The path after Paleochora (at the kiosk) is no longer paved but it is in good condition and it is marked either with signs or with the well-known signs of the path (a white and a blue line). After the kiosk, the hiker will come across an old threshing floor of exceptional interest which is in good condition and provides an excellent view of Vathi, the Ionian Sea with the small islands from Lefkada to Patras, and even the bridge of Rio - Antirio, on clear days... The threshing floor also marks the start of the downhill route to the cave. Towards the end, the route becomes very downhill but the paving returns. Just before the end, there is a small junction to the left where the cave of the Nymphs is located in a beautifully landscaped area. The cave is protected by a barred gate which is usually closed.
The route ends on an asphalt road which is not in a particularly good condition. It should be noted that there is no signposting or any information sign, and walkers who want to do the route in reverse should pay attention in order to find the entrance, which also needs maintenance.
A special feature of the area is that despite its relatively short length (2,200 metres) there are seven churches: Agioi Pantes - Kimisis tis Theotokou - Old church of Koimisis tis Theotokou - Isodia tis Theotokou- Agios Ioannis (Petaliatiko) - Agios Andreas in Spartia - Agios Nikolaos in Spartia (They are mentioned in that order within the description of the route. The first four are a short distance around the cemetery).
The duration of the hike from Perachori to the cave of Nymphs, not including any stops, is about forty minutes.
In Ithaca there are: Medical Centre in Vathi and Regional Medical office in Stavros, Police Station in Vathi and Citizen Service Centre (KEP) also in Vathi.
Perachori
Perachori is one of the oldest settlements of Ithaca. During the Venetian occupation it was located further east and it was called Paleochora. It is the largest settlement of Ithaca, with 343 permanent residents (2011), and the only one located in the south of the island. It is only a five-minute drive from the town of Ithaca. Following its streets and alleys, the visitor discovers a beautiful and well-kept village. Going uphill, the view becomes magnificent and from the highest point of the settlement, Agnantio, you can see from Lefkada to Zakynthos.
In Perachori there is the church of Agios Rafael, who was born here, and next to it there is the chapel of Agios Ioannis the Theologian, where the martyr Eugenios Karavias, Metropolitan of Anchialos, was baptized. The monastery of Taxiarches is located two kilometres outside Perachori, in a beautiful landscape.
Every last Saturday of July there is a "Wine Festival", where Perahori wine is offered for free.
Medieval Paleochora
Opposite Perachori on the hillside, a path (as described earlier) leads to the ruined medieval Paleochora, the capital of the island during the Middle Ages and until the beginning of the Venetian period when it was abandoned, as the inhabitants, free from the fear of pirates, moved to the coast.
Among the remains of the old settlement, churches with Byzantine frescoes stand out, three of which have been classified as historical monuments: a) Kimisis tis Theotokou or Palia Panagia, which is located at the boundaries of the old settlement, b) the small chapel of Isodia tis Theotokou, with great hagiographies, which is open every year on November 21, c) the church of Agios Ioannis with its tall stone bell tower and stone temple, located approximately in the middle of the ruins of Paleochora, which has been restored.
The visitor will also come across the ruins of period houses, which also served as fortresses with their narrow windows to protect them from pirates. A great advantage of the settlement is the view to the Ionian Sea and the entrance to the harbour.
The small church of Isodia tis Theotokou, Maroulatiki of Paleochora, as it is known to the locals, is open every year on 21 November and it is still open. Great hagiographies are preserved here.
The cave of the Nymphs
It is also called Marmarospilia. It is identified with the Homeric Cave of the Nymphs where it is assumed that Odysseus hid the gifts of the Phaeacians. Archaeological findings lead us to believe that there was indeed a Nymph worship here. The cave is located at an altitude of 190 m above the bay of Dexa (the homeric port of Forkynas), where the Phaeacians left Odysseus asleep.
The Cave of the Nymphs has two entrances: one is near the beach and it is not accessible. The asphalt road leads to the new entrance, where the cave of the Nymphs, which has stalactites and the remains of an ancient altar, can be reached via a staircase and a ten-meter descent. The entrance is currently closed, due to works and relevant danger. The findings of the archaeological excavations are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Ithaca, in Vathi.
During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) trailhead (at Perachori), b) Agios Ioannis (Petaliatiko), c) kioski (Paleochora), d) Aloni, e) Cave of the Nymphs.
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