The wedding isle

The tiny island in the bay of Vathy, which is also known as the “Islet of Our Savior” after the chapel built there in the 17th century, and affectionately by the locals as gamonisi (lit. “wedding isle”). Indeed, so many visitors wish to marry there, with the view of the picturesque harbor and town and against the backdrop of the most famous tale of unerring, spousal devotion (of Odysseus and his faithful wife, Penelope), that the waiting list each year covers all of the following summer! The islet has been used as a quarantine station for the crews of ships arriving at Ithaki, and later – up to the early 20th century – as a prison. Having seen so much human suffering, it is comforting to see such a change of face, as today it embraces the joy of couples starting a new life together… and most probably purifying its karma.