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Paleokastritsa |
 Paleokastritsa is 26 km (approx. 16 miles) from Corfu Town and Airport. Its long been considered one of the most beautiful villages in Corfu, its set into gorgeous green hills which just beg to be walked however the lack of paths and the steepness in places could make this a dangerous option. At night you do get a lot of motorbikes screaming up the mountain road and it can be quite noisy.
Paleokastritsa is famous for its stunningly picturesque beaches, a mix of sand and shingle, lapped by deep, cold waters fed by undersea streams, with strikingly blue-green colours. Rocks provide great points for diving. Paleokastritsa is in fact 6 bays, though the holiday maker tends to focus on the main beach area, its a narrow horseshoe of shingle, and in the height of the season can become choke a block with coaches.
The water is very deep and is not suitable for children, but you will find sunbeds, showers and toilets. Due to how deep the water is boat trips and scuba diving are popular pastimes, as is snorkelling.
Accommodation is scattered around the resort, much in excellent locations. But Paleokastritsa is not for those seeking lots of lively nightlife ,but there are plenty of tavernas, though due to the amount of visitors the prices can be steep and children are not well catered for. There are also a few tame music bars on the edge of the resort and a couple of discos to keep you busy if you wish, Paleo has been a British favourite for years.
Just around the headland is an exclusive marina with some seriously show-off boats you never know you might spot some one famous.
Overlooking the bay is a 13th century monastery that is such a favourite with coach parties traffic lights have been installed on the access road. The white-washed Monastery was a shrine for the sailors of the west Ionian Sea. The monastery itself has some impressive icons, a carved wooden ceiling and a bizarre sea monster. The most impressive attraction though is the paved gardens with stunning sea views though you might be less impressed at being forced by money-minded monks to buy a candle as you enter. The name Paleokastritsa was given to the monastery, according to the legend, because the icon of the Assumption of Virgin Mary was found on the uninhabited hill and in that particular place they built the church. According to the legend the monastery was built in 1228 and there are many legends and traditions to support this, but also written documents describe the common life of the monks, shedding more light on the history of the area. The hill provided a natural fortress, a barrier, a rampart for the protection of 'Paleochora', the name given to the original site of the village located on the eastern hill around Alipa Bay. The church of Paleokastritsa celebrates every Good Friday of Eastern week, the day of Zoodochou Pigis and on that day the area becomes a magnetic pole for the inhabitants of the island and for the tourists as an opportunity of pilgrimage, local atmosphere and fun. In one of the cells in the monastery, a museum has been founded where holy and precious relics of the monastery are housed. There you can see the first temple of post-Byzantine technique; the 'Three Faces' dating back to the 18th century; the icon of the 'Three Ierarches' from 1683; the icon of the 'Deposition from the Cross' dated from 1764; a hand written parchment Gospel book from the 12th century; also the bones of a huge sea monster; plus many other interesting and important relics.
The annual visitors, from all over the world, number in the thousands. The beauty of the scenery becomes magic during the summer evenings when the hills are a mass of flowers and the scent of their perfume wafts through the air with the birds chirping as they return to their nests.
Close by is Liapades one of the oldest and prettiest villages on the northwest coast of Corfu. Its nestled in an evergreen corner with some 900 inhabitants . Far from the hustle and bustle of tourist development, this area is renowned not only for its wine produced from the kakotrygis variety, but the most breathtaking scenery on the island.
Also close by is Krini, and the medieval fortress of Angelokastro where villagers took refuge in various sieges, well worth a visit. |
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