Page 1 - Demo

CORFU ( KERKIRA ) de affshese Blothes: Iauve voue bod! a town made up of the most diverse elements: the relics of the several Religious Festivities, Processions, Folk Events which, together with those of neighbouring Sidari, are the pride of Corfu F M ;;e off %u03bd %u039c%u0384%u03b9' v %u03a3 ae e s uu %u00eerglsa%u2018?nsgh%u00ef%u00e2fl&wn}\\ the modern sector, and large %u03c2 The religious holidays in Corfu, as well as in other lonian Islands, have because they are among the loveliest in the Mediterranean. for the winds to play with, and sw , %u03bd re are wide si lor, and large squares, among a picturesqueness which is a novel experience. Medieval solemnit ! %u201d to the Phaeacian coasts, where deliverance awaits you.%u00bb them the %u00abSpianada%u00bb, or esplanade, which is the largest and most beautiful is unknown here. In fact, they are lively folk fairs more than anything, Gwin Leaving the coast behind and passing through the villages of Spartila and Strinila we reach the highest mountain of the island, Mt. Pantocrator Homer: %u00abThe Odyssey Book V, 33 %u2014 345 square in all Greece. Then there are the Neapolitan %u00abcantounia%u00bb; houses E built in a style that is distinctively French; some others have arches and rg ar ds eens Mew ee masionl telenie ane to tena (alt. 914m), from whose summit we have a sweeping view of the whole i old customs, . n ture. There are Byzantine churches and fortresses, Venetian steps and festivities of Corfu. je bale aeniaen %u03c0 %u03b3 %u03c4 go on a day-trip to the three little isles lying opposite: Othoni (7 n. miles), Er%u2014 coussa and Mathraki. They are the extreme ends of Greece in the lonian it the ideal background for his %u00abTempest%u00bb, Corfu has remained, even to this day, a part of Greece that stands apart from any other. Richly endowed by nature, as no other Greek island, it has acquired with the passing of monuments, French balconies, and windows with folding shutters (the A litany procession of St. Spyridon's body through the streets of the town so-called Venetian blinds). All together, this unique blend of architec- takes place four times a year. and i accompanied in prilkenente tures forms an attractive and fascinating whole. bands. The litanies are held on the following dates: on the Greek Orthodox %u03b1 i histication which are the natural %u03bd %u03bd Sea, inhabited by fisherman and farmers who are delighted to have visitors. the fennetna %u03bd %u03bf %u03c4 But %u2018ot all ofthe town is old. La %u03b5 %u03c4 ;%u03b9;%u03b6 ne vei Palm Sunday in the morning of the following Saturday (the Saturday before Gre dir stnde? Ire Nei oh ineror and ales: delectable: grapecieT hal Its gentle contours, its verdure in all shades of green, covering the island but also provide visitors with every modern amenity. %u03ba %u0388%u2026%u03be%u03b6%u2026%u03be%u03be%u03be%u03b7'|;?%u03ad%u03b69\sheltered anchorages are ideal for a swim and some sunbathing afterwards. even in August, its breezes heavy with the sweet smells of nature, and RAgU art anepafteeivices:aturiing {rani Neon'Frolrlon: Squery and $ p place to commemorate the Patron Saint's miracles. They its serene beauty spots, all blend in harmony with the monuments of antiqui- ar & %u03c5%u03bb%u03bf OWN Be well ne all oite an are reverently attended by thousands of pilgrims, who congregate in the ty, Byzantium, Venice, France, Russia and Great Britain - all of which mee Terai, eee ram %u03c5%u03bd%u03ae fel ky an Se ene ot ue town from all over the island and from other parts of Greece, among them Westwards in turn occupied Corfu when the rest of Greece was under the Turkish et ie take visitors le any place they wish in ontarorad a eerie Epirus (on the mainland opposite) and Athens. The western coast of Corfu also abounds in beauty sports. On this side yoke. %u03c5%u03c6%u03ae pra ides A mayd %u03bb le LIGHT le Another splendid religious celebration takes place on the 14th of August of the island the roads thread their way through olive and orange groves, The jagged crown of a submerged mountain range, Corfu marks Greece's %u03bd %u03c4 %u03b7 %u03b3 %u03b3 ee in the village of Mandouki in honour of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin. Pine trees and the cypresses that cover the lovely countryside. westernmost point, with gentle silver slopes and roiling acres of olive gro- %u03c5 %u03bd en %u03b3 Finally, among the most splendid religious celebrations are those held 26 kms from the town of Corfu lies Palaeokastritsa, a holiday paradise ves. Tourism, farming, and fishing support its 100,000 people, and though se be aniintorcetable'exeerisncal - i eu fo ie and on Easter Sunday. \\ for those who love crystal-clear waters, fishing and good food. Its small cut off from mainland Greece, it is nevertheless very much a part of the The visitor can swim in the sea from the %u00abMon Repos%u00bb public beach (2 Fie Belt lay the Faithful with lighted candles follow behind the %u00abEpita%u2014 tavernas serve lobsters which the customer picks out from special tanks Greek scene of today. Corfu offers its countless visitors an interlude of kms away), near which stands the Mon Repos Palace, the summer residence phios%u00bb (pall) in its procession through the town streets. %u2014%u2014%u2014 where the live lobsters are kept. Quite close to Palaeokastritsa, which serenity and calm such as that of the Homeric bidding for %u00abdeliverance%u00bb ofthe ex-Royal family of Greece: Of he canienioy thie eas %u2018ing atmosphere! On Saturday evening all the Corfiots,and countless Easter visitors congre%u2014 Henry Millerextolled in his book %u00abThe Colossus ofMaroussi%u00bb,isthe 13th cenfrom human pressures and tensions, so common in our 20th century civili- %u03c9 porvades tho: place; ee Le die & la Yw%u00e9 orrglheg%u00abSp\\enpsda%u2014 gate in the Spianada Square tocelebrate th service of the Resurrection at tury fort of Angelokastro. If you want to enjoy a unique view, then climb sation. ee %u03bd tiie hae plone dees us th %u2014 midnight, holding white tallow candles %u2014 (on the previous evening the up to the %u00abBella Vista%u00bb, a natural balcony overlooking the blue expanse Geographical position %u03b5 %u03bf ea Rg ee candles are usually yellow beeswax candles). Besides the people present at of the sea below. On a headland nearby is the Monastery of Palaeokastritsa. 6r0 e R the nantie nest aland ot Westar Greeceandihe sseandlargest %u03c1 ee %u03bf pou d%u2018e neat ar con cers the service, there are literally thousands of others leaning from windowsills, Neitner Glyfada (16 kms from the town) nor Aghios Gordios (16.5 after Cephalonia. It is situated in the North lonian Sea with only a narrow Canoni (4 Kms) is one of the most fascinating spots in Corfu, with a narro ve clustered sound the baleanies whic! overlook the Spaniada Square [ne kms) has the fame that Palaeokastritsa enjoys as a tourist resort. Yet they strait separating it from the mainland opposite, from which it broke away ere 4 tnt n one ne de t %u03b5 %u03c2 celebration of the %u00abResurrection%u00bb is ajoyous outburst of general merriment, are both delightful places with crowd-free and isolated coves to bathe many millenia ago during the great geological upheavals. In size it is %u03b7 laa reed %u03c4 nenge ee with the philharmonic bands accompanying the %u00abChistos Anesti%u00bb (Christ is and fish in and stretches of sands. 13 kms away is the rocky hill known as the seventh largest Greek island hoarby with a tiny 1ath eantiey chapel ont. pe), %u201c Risen) Easter hymn of the Resurrection that is chanted by the clergy and the Pelekas, from the top of which, according to the Corfiots, %u00abone can admire The geological differences between Corfu and the mainland opposite are ve i A he %u03bd %u03bd l; crowds. \\ the most beautiful sunset%u00bb. In the region of Pelekas lies %u00abRopas' Meadow%u00bb, remarkable. The latter is rugged and harsh, whereas the landscape of n Corfu Town the following are well worth a visit: Another picturesque Easter custom is the breaking of earthenware cooking (Livadi tou Ropa) Corfu%u2019s excellent golf course. Corfu is soft and gentle. Its semi - mountainous terrain (highest peak: The Archaeological Museum (5, Vraila St.), which houses finds from Pots at middday, on the Saturday before Easter, when the first %u00abResurre%u2014 Mt. Pantocrator's, alt. 914 m), is blanketed with dense vegetation. The local archaeologioal excavations, among them a pediment showing a gor- ation ehurh %u03a3%u03c2 held ioe Seuihwards island's 3,400,000 olive trees far outnumber the orange, lemon, cypress, gon, sculptures, bas-reliefs, statues from the Roman period, coins and %u00abSound and Light%u00bb performances in English, French, Italian and Greek take %u201d %u03c2 laf and cack ween, an well ua the humerus aleandes, fila and figurines. place in the old Fortress starting from 1th May to 30th September. Beretta, %u00bb lane cout of the towny is the aristooratio! quarter of Coc It boasts many beautiful hotels, and villas which one can rent, all enclosed in sub-tropical gardens and sivery%u2014green olive groves. Perama is an excellent spot for bathing. Many swim across to the islet of Pontikonissi (mouse The Museum of Asiatic Art, housed in the Regency Royal Palace, the former Residence of the British High Comissioners, situated in Kato Platia schina bushes. As for flowers, there are all kinds, filling the air with their fragrance. Climate %u2014 In contrast to the Aegean islands, whose rocky terrain grows (lower square). It is a remarkably rich collection (10,000 items) of Chinese, Beyond the Town Wand torn ted shoves. unbearably hot under the burning sun, the climate of Corfu is mild and Japanese and Indian art, dating from the Neolithic Age down to the 19th All the roads that lead to the various parts of the island start from the ' cool, even in summer. In January the temperature is about 10%u00b0 C, while century A.D. town of Corfu, with byways giving access to lush green regions, picturesque Gastouri (9 kms) has managed to preserve all of its old-world charm and during high summer it keeps to a steady %u03bf Theaverage mean temperat. The Saints Michael and George Palace, built in 1823 by the British. villages and out-of-the-way sandy beaches. If you are romantically inclined beauty. In fact, the Empress Elizabeth of Austria was so taken in by the ures according to month are: February 10.3%u00b0 C., March 12.3%u00b0 C, April 15.2%u00b0 It is a Georgian mansion, once the Government House and seat of the you can hire a horse - drawn carriage, or else take one of the buses, rent beauty of the place that she had her palace, the %u00abAchilleion%u00bb, built here. C, May 19.2%u00b0 C, June 23.4%u00b0 C, July 26.0%u00b0 C, August 26.1%u00b0 C, September Spianada British Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands. acar from local car-hire firms, or, lastly, take a taxi to do your sightseeing. Today the Achilleion has been converted into a Casino, except for a few 23.0%u00b0C, October 19.0%u00b0C, November 15.0%u00b0 C, December 11.8%u00b0C. The average Rouen Corfu%u2019s Town Hall, built in 1663, a splendid example of Venetian architec- rooms which have been made into a small museum. sunshine record annually is from 2,500 to 2,600 hours. During high summer ertit dancers ture. It was first used as a club for the Venetian nobility; later it became Benitses(12. - 6 ) %u03ba%u03c0%u03bd (12.5 kms), a fishing hamlet with gay tavernas on the waterfront, there is a certain amount of dryness which is, however, offset by the sea due %u03b1 a theatre, and, in 1902 the Town Hall North of the Town is yet another beauty spot of peace and calm. breezes and the abundant vegetation. Winter snowfalls are very rare, but Trelis hor a The Church of the Saints Jason and Sosipater, in the suburb of Ane- Let's set out then by any one of the above transport means to acquaint not so rainfalls (average: 1140 mms) i a momios. t da among Ihe most beautiful: monuments, 2 %u03c0%u03bf ourselves with the town%u2019s northern regions. The newly built road runs T e man trominere winds lis Way fo Aghios Yennisic# tne Doves, (Agios In general, th s at zkg %u03b7 Century arallel with the Coaathnie: seseine by l%u00e4isiren heal Yannis Peristeron), then on to Moraitika and to Messonghi, where the most general, the climate of Corfu is temperate, despite the humidity caused Sunset Byzantine art. containing unique hagiographies %u03bf %u03bf . Passing by lovely shores washed by an inviting i - it & by the luxuriant vegetation and th Bey in thal %u03b7 %u03bd Giyetal-cldar %u03c4 5 kmstnorth of De wa coine to ANKess2 kms furth beautiful olive%u2014grove in Corfu is found. On its extensive beach there are %u03bd egetation and the winter rains. %u03b7 own The Church of St. Spyridon, the town%u2019s Patron Saint. In the church %u03b7 %u03bd %u03c2 %u00bb %u03b6%u03bb%u03bd%u03bd%u03bb%u03ba%u03bd%u03ae tourist ities and notel Needless to say, it is an exceptionally healthy. cli Kerkira %u03bd ; on brings us to Contokali, and another 2 kms to Gouvia. 13 kilometres, ida ed oh es gec noge. %u00bb ptionally healthy. climate, and that is one the Saint's body is kept in a reliquary, an excellent piece of artistic work. * . %u2014 b imni Corissi is envi he island of the reasons Corfu teems with visitors all the year a %u00bb away we find the beach of Dassia stretching before us with its many Limni Corission (25 kms), is the only lake of any importance on the island. year roun There are also splendid hagiographies in the church as well as acollection %u03b7 %u03b7 The Town of Corfu > restaurants, small tavernas and hotels. Ipsos, 2 kms on, is a charmin The last part of the road has to be undertaken on foot. Other branci of gold-and-silver votive offerings presented to the Saint by the faithful i %u03c2 %u03bd 4 Ai-Yiorghi Cavos which %u03b7 Corfu Town is situated on the east coast of the island and presents a and placid fishing village with a clear blue sea and, naturally, plenty of roads lead to the seaside villages of Ai-Yiorghis and Cavos which lies femarkable balanced blend of diverse architscturaltoatiras It He The Cathedral of Corfu, close to the ferry boat landing-stage, is a magni- fresh fish in the restaurants. near Lefkimi, the most important of the large villages of Corfu. It is also on a projecting bit of land which splits the main town ins %u03b7 ;%u03be\ficent building. In it reposes the headless body of Saint Theodora the Au- Continuing, we come to other fishing hamlets, nestling in the silvery %u2014 geenthe richest since it lies almost in the middle of the largest plain in Corfu Garitsa to the south and Agios Nikolaos to the north. Right at the tip gusta. olive trees, which sprawl along the seashores. To mention a fe Nissaki, (12 kms in area). of the north section, on the sea, stands the town's Venetian fortress, which The Monastery of Platytera, near the village of Mandouki, which contains 22.5 kms from Corfu; Calami, 29 kms; and Kouloura, 30 kms, whose praises Every day, except Sunday, two motor launches leave Corfu harbour for many historians identify with the %u00abHeraion%u00bb Acropolis, mentioned by Thucy- rare icons of post-Byzantine art. In the Monastery are also the graves Lawrence Durrell has sung in his book on Corfu, 'Prospero's Cell%u2019. There the small island of Paxi, where they arrive 2 1/2 hours later, with only dides. The fortress has been cut off from the land proper by an artificial of the first Governor of Greece, Count John Capodistrias, and of Fotis are many small tavernas ready to provide us with tasty dishes and home- a short stop at Cavos. On Paxi there are two holiday bungalow resorts defensive moat, the famous %u00abcontra - fossa%u00bb measuring 15m deep and from Dzavellas, one of the heroes and chieftains of the 1821 Greek War of made wine. Rooms, too, can be rented in the houses of the friendly inhabitants. 23 to 40m wide. Independence. The way to Kassiopi is exceptionally beautiful. The road winds up the The isle of Paxi, like its neighbour Antipaxi, is covered with thick veCorfuis an old town and throughout the centuries its position has rem %u0393 = s slopes of Mt. Pantocrator to reach this pretty fishing village (36 kms from getation of varied sorts, including olive trees and vine plants. Paxi is consiundhenged Thereiene eteat planning:as'stioh; and sary Routes ti %u03c5%u03bd%u03bd %u03be%u03b6%u03b6%u03b6?%u03b6%u0390%u03be?%u03be%u03b6 %u03be%u03b6%u03be\the town), which, besides having restaurants with quick and efficient serv- dered unique because of its deep sea caves. According to Homer, one of tounia%u00bb, or cobbled back - alleys, are accessible to pedestrians only. It is Service (14, Arietidou st. Athens), ice, also has some interesting Byzantine ruins to show its visitors. Roda, these, the Ipapandi Cave, was %u00abPoseidon's cave of gold-glittering halls%u00bb. 1 1/2 kms further on, is blessed with the most beautiful sandy shores There are also seals living in its depths, as they have done for ages.