Sailing towards Crete: The Port of Modon

Abstract

After sailing through the Ionian Islands, pilgrims’ galleys arrived at Modon, one of Venice’s oculi capitales and one of the most important trading centres of the Ionian Sea (Fig. 46). Before entering the port of Modon, galleys would often stop at Sapienza, the biggest of a group of small islands located south of the town, protecting it from the open sea (Fig. 47). In the 14th century the Venetians established a lookout post on this island, from which flag or fire signals informed the city of approaching ships.2 Many pilgrims mention stopping at Sapienza and remaining there for hours or days when opposing winds prevented them from entering the port.3 Some of them refer to a church on a hill, as well as to hermits living on the island. The French Nompar de Caumont (1418) was the first to refer to the deserted island where hermits resided at a church dedicated to the Virgin.4 In 1470 the German nobleman Gaudenz von