Kioni

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Kioni is a picturesque fishing village in Ithaca island, 24 km away from Vathi and is one of the most beautiful villages of the island. It is amphitheatrically built on a green slope inside a deep bay. The village starts from the area Rachi at the top of the village and descends to the sea. Beautiful houses with tiled roofs, narrow cobbled streets and steps leading to the coast compose a magnificent scene. At the entrance of the harbor there are three traditional but ruined windmills. The village dates back to the 16th century, when inhabitants of the surrounding mountain areas settled in the place where the village is now located.

There are many well-preserved old houses, most of which were built in the 16th century. Most of them have withstood all these years the catastrophic earthquakes that shook the Ionian Islands. Some traditional houses testify the architectural influence of both the Venetians and the English.

The village is also of religious interest as there are three historic churches. It is worth visititing the church of Agios Nikolaos in Mavronas, the church of Evangelistria, and the church of Agios Ioannis of Lombardiaris. The last two of them have excellent hagiography. The church of Evangelistria is located in the area of Rachi and was built at the end of the last century.

A walk towards "Argalio" and the area of Lontza brings you close to the ruins of the house of the hero of the Greek revolution of 1821, Georgios Karaiskakis and to the pebble beaches with crystal clear waters of Katsikouli, Sarakinari, Plakoutses and Filiatro beaches.

The village celebrates on July 20th, the day of Prophet Elias. A festival is organized on the beach of the village which lasts till early in the morning. Earlier, the residents are transferred with fishing boats to the small chapel of Prophet Elias which is located just outside the port.

On the beach there are cafes, taverns and restaurants. The sheltered harbor of the village is ideal for sailboats.

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