Aetos: Beach and traces of old routes

Aetos brings together coast, routes and history as a travel destination. Brosta Aetos is named as a beach on the Gulf of Aetos; a nearly level route runs along Ithaca’s western slopes from Chordaki to Agios Ioannis. The “OD” inscription adds a visible trace along the old mule track to these themes. This takes you from the sea, along a specific route, to a historic thoroughfare that once connected the south and north of Ithaca.

Brosta Aetos on the Gulf of Aetos

Brosta Aetos lies directly on the road connecting Vathy with the villages in northern Ithaca. The beach is sheltered by the Gulf of Aetos and offers calm seas and azure-blue water; sea conditions can vary. Its location by the road provides a geographical reference point, while the gulf and water define its coastal character. This gives you more than a general reference to a beach: Brosta Aetos is the specific place where you can focus on this aspect of Ithaca.

A route along Ithaca’s western slopes

The route from Chordaki in Aetos to Agios Ioannis runs along Ithaca’s western slopes and is almost level. The places named make the route specific: Chordaki is the starting point, and Agios Ioannis is the destination. Its nearly level profile is another distinct characteristic. This gives you a clear question to consider when planning your trip: would you like a named route, with its terrain profile, to feature alongside the beach? Unlike Brosta Aetos, the focus here is on the route between two places; the beach is characterized by the gulf and the sea. When planning, you can therefore consider the route as a separate interest alongside the coastal focus.

The “OD” inscription on the old mule track

Between Aetos and Agios Ioannis, the “OD” inscription is carved into a flat rock on the old mule track. This road connected southern Ithaca with the north before roads for motor vehicles were built. The inscription is therefore located on a route that once served as the island’s north–south connection. The upper part of the letter O and the letter D are clearly visible on the rock; each letter measures about 27 × 33 cm. The upper part of the O is a precise identifying feature, while the approximate measurements give you an idea of the letters’ size. Here, the history of the route and a specific, visible detail come together.

Comparing the route and its history

Agios Ioannis is a useful point of comparison: the route from Chordaki ends there, while the inscription is on the old mule track between Aetos and Agios Ioannis. The route can be understood in terms of its destination and profile, and the inscription in terms of its location and the road’s former function. When planning your holiday, you can therefore decide whether you would rather focus on a specific route or a historic site.

Discover more destinations: Frikes, Vathí, Itháka.

For the broader travel overview: Ithaki.