Historical information

The 1953 catastrophic earthquakes on Ithaca and nearby Cephalonia caused extensive damage destroying many houses and buildings. The tremors reached 7.2 on the Richter Scale and the devastation was exacerbated by the quake occurring at midday when many people were cooking so fires spread rapidly across the island. The Holy Church of Taxiarchion, located in northern Ithaca on the hill overlooking the village of Platrithia and Afales Bay, was extensively damaged. A committee was formed to rebuild the church and its reconstruction following the earthquake is testament to the determination and resilience of the island's people to overcome hardship and disasters.

Physical description

A black and white photograph of scaffolding supporting a building destroyed in earthquake. A trench along the side of the structure is being prepared for further reinforcement with steel rods before the concrete is poured.

Inscriptions & markings

The photo a has stamp on the back from the local committee overseeing the rebuilding of the church. It is written in Greek and states the following: REBUILDING COMMITTEE/ HOLY CHURCH OF TAXIARCHES/PLATRITHIA ITHACA.