Port Bathy and the capital of Ithaca - Illustration from Views of Greece by Edward Dodwell

Port Bathy and the capital of Ithaca is an illustration from the collection Views in Greece from Drawings published by Edward Dodwell in 1821.

Port Bathy, the natural shelter of Ithaca's capital, is a peaceful haven surrounded by green hills. The boats anchored in its calm waters bear witness to the island's maritime activity, evoking the mythical story of Odysseus and his adventures. The white houses of the capital are scattered along the slopes, providing a striking contrast with the deep blue of the sea.

The literal transcription of the notice accompanying this plate is reproduced below:

Ithaca, which owes its fame to the memories of Ulysses and the divine poetry of Homer, is situated in the Ionian Sea, about eight miles southeast of the promontory of Lefkada, thirty-two miles north of the island of Zakynthos, and twenty-three miles northwest of the promontory of Araxos in Achaia. It is separated from the island of Cephalonia by a channel which, in some places, is less than two miles wide, and in others eight. Strabo gives it a circuit of eighty stades, and Pliny recognizes one of twenty-five miles. Its actual circumference, however, is thirty-two miles. The population of the island amounts to about 8,000 people who inhabit Bathy, the capital, and three small villages. It has eight ports, the largest of which is Bathy. The next largest is the adjacent port of Aitos. Ithaca still retains its ancient name among the upper classes of the population, though it is more generally known as Theaki. It contains the ruins of three cities, one of which, situated on a rocky hill rising from the harbor of Aitos, is extremely interesting from the great antiquity of its walls, composed of polygonal stones of great size. Bathy is situated at the extremity of the harbor of that name, which is wide and deep, and sheltered from the violence of the winds by the surrounding heights;

On the shore of Ithaca is a vast haven, A wide and deep harbor, whose steep enclosure Seems to be enveloped in two arms of rock. There, the agitated waves find no access; There, the angry wind never penetrates; The ships that have arrived in this happy haven, Remain there untethered on a motionless wave; It is the harbor of Phorcyne.

This is the port represented in this plate. The high mountain seen beyond its entrance is Homer's Neritus: but the soil is exhausted, and its bare slopes are no longer shaded by the undulating forests described by the poet. The island of Ithaca is nothing but a rock, except for the plain near Bathy. Its chief product consists of grapes, which are exported to England. From these grapes an excellent wine is made; but it is not easy to procure even on the spot, and it is regarded there as a great luxury.