A green oasis with a turquoise sea
The Ionian Islands (Greek: Ιόνια νησία) are a group of islands scattered in the Ionian Sea along the west coast of Greece. They are also referred to as the Επτάνησα ("Seven Islands"), although the group includes many smaller islets in addition to the seven main islands.
The main "seven islands" are Kefalonia, Corfu, Lefkada, Zakynthos, Ithaka, Paxos and Kythira.
Smaller islands include Meganissi, Kalamos, Kastos, Antipaxos, Antikythira, Elafonisos, Othoni, Ereikousa, Mathraki and Strofades.
The islands of Kythira, Antikythira and Elafonisos are distinguished from all the other Ionian Islands by being located between the Peloponnese peninsula and Crete.
The Ionian Islands are one of the most popular and visited Greek destinations. The mild climate, the humid sea air, the lush green vegetation, the beautiful mountains and the breathtaking beaches of all kinds provide an ideal place for a holiday. At first glance, the Ionian Islands are distinguished by their architecture, which is in the Venetian style and completely different from that which we know, for example, from the Cyclades. The local monuments are also not marked by Turkish influence, since the Ionian Islands never came under Ottoman rule.
The islands have also become known to tourists thanks to the many books and films that have been written and filmed about them. Based on Gerald Durrell's popular book "My Family and Other Animals" from 1956, describing his childhood in Corfu in the 1930s, the highly successful comedy series "The Durrells" was filmed in 2016-2019. The dramatic film "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" set during World War II on Kefalonia is also very well known. And worth mentioning is the breathtaking series filmed in 2022-2024 on Paxos called "Maestro in Blue" (or Maestro).
Mythology
The Ionian Islands are intertwined with many myths. One of them, the story of the philandering god Zeus, the wife of Hera, and her priestess Io, gave the archipelago its name.
Io and the name of the Ionian Sea
The Ionian Islands are named after the mythological story of Zeus' love affair with Io, the priestess of Hera. Zeus transformed her into a cow to protect her from the jealousy and anger of Hera's wife. When Hera discovered the truth, she persuaded Zeus to give her the cow and have it guarded by the hundred-eyed shepherd Argos. To save Io, Zeus sent the god Hermes, who killed Argos. Angry Hera sent a large hornet to Io, which constantly stung her and drove her to the western sea, which was named the Ionian Sea after her. Then she wandered east and reached Prometheus, chained to a rock, who advised her to flee to Egypt. In Egypt, Zeus restored her to human form, and Io gave birth to his son Epafos on the banks of the Nile, who became the first king of Egypt. Io was honored as a god in Egypt.
Zakynthos
In Greek mythology, the founder and first ruler of the island of Zakynthos was Zakynthos, the son of the Trojan king Dardanus of Arcadia. He sailed with his naval fleet to the island around 1500 BC to establish an acropolis there. Zakynthos, often depicted with a snake in his hand, is considered a hero who freed the island from snakes.
According to mythology, the goddess of the hunt Artemis and her brother Apollo, who played his lyre on the island, found their home on the island of Zakynthos.
Corfu
Homer's Odyssey states that King Odysseus was shipwrecked in the "land of the Phaeacians", which is the name for the island of Corfu.
Ithaka
Odysseus was the king of Ithaka and had his palace there, according to Homer.
Paxos
The island of Paxos served as a refuge for the sea god Poseidon and his wife, the Nymph Amphitrite.
History
In ancient Greece, the islands were mostly peaceful. The exception was the conflict between Corfu and its mother city Corinth in 434 BC, which initiated the Peloponnesian War.
In his epic work The Odyssey, Homer mentions Ithaka as the island that was the home of King Odysseus. Many researchers have tried to find the residence of one of the most important heroes of the Trojan War. But only recently, in 2010, was the famous Palace of Odysseus actually discovered near the village of Stavros, confirming the veracity of Homer's texts.
Climate
While the islands in the Aegean Sea are affected by the north wind "meltemi", in the Ionian Sea the north-west wind "maistros" (or "maistro") has a similar cooling effect. Thanks to this, the Ionian Islands have lush vegetation and are fresh and green even during the hot summer months. An uninformed visitor usually only realizes the significance of a strong wind when it stops blowing and the unbearable heat sets in.
