The capital of the island is Vathi, located approximately in the center of the island and is the settlement with the most inhabitants. According to the studiers of Homer, the town is the port of Forkina, where Odysseus returned from the land of the Phaeacians. The name is due to the fact that it is situated at the sea level and is surrounded by high mountains and hills, among which the highest mountain of Ithaca, Nitrous. Vathi has been inhabited since the Venetian rule, while the port of Ithaca is probably the safest natural harbor in Greece and its beauty attracts thousands of visitors. Boats of all kinds, large and small, luxurious or less expensive, cruisers, yachts and sailboats arrive there every summer. Vathi has two museums that one can visit, one archaeological and one folklore. In Agios Nicholaos of Xenon you will have the chance to marvel at the rare icon of Jesus Elkomenos, an icon considered to be one of the works of El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos), while when visiting Panagia Gardelaki, do not miss the wonderful view! In the small pier of the harbor there is a statue of Odysseus: the King of Ithaca is, from one side imperious, looking towards the sea and from the other, he is pictured exhausted, paddling his boat. The special characteristic of the capital of Ithaca is the small islet of Lazaretto,located in the middle of the harbor, used as a quarantine and as a prison. Today, it is covered with pine trees and the only building left is the church of the Savior.