Saint Spyridon - Glory to the Lord ! : Corfu - a sacred land, unique for people !

Corfu, also known as Kerkyra, is one of the most beautiful and renowned islands of Greece, possessing a unique atmosphere and historical significance that attract people from all over the world. Here are a few reasons why Corfu is often referred to as a sacred and unique land:

Religious Significance:Corfu is home to many important Christian shrines, including the Church of Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of the island. Saint Spyridon is regarded as the protector of the island and its inhabitants, as well as a miracle worker. His relics are kept in the church in the island's capital, and many pilgrims visit annually to pay their respects.

Historical and Cultural Heritage:Corfu boasts a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The island has been under the control of Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, French, and British, resulting in a unique blend of cultures and architectural styles. The Old Town of Corfu is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its historical buildings, narrow streets, and fortresses.

Natural Beauty:Corfu is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches, and green hills. The island is rich in olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards, creating a unique microclimate that makes it an ideal place for relaxation.

Hospitality and Traditions:The people of Corfu are known for their hospitality and friendliness. Many traditions are preserved on the island, including folk celebrations, festivals, and dances, which are passed down through generations.

Corfu is a place where religious, cultural, and natural heritage come together, creating a unique atmosphere that makes it truly special and sacred for many people.

The picturesque part of the island - the area of Paleokastritsa.

Paleokastritsa is a tranquil resort stretching along several beautiful beaches. Here, there are numerous caves and incredibly scenic coves. It's a favorite retreat for celebrities and affluent individuals. Spotting a yacht with a helicopter is considered commonplace here.

The water here has an astonishing color and is so transparent that every pebble on the seabed is clearly visible, making boats appear to hover above the water.

The water color ranges from azure to emerald, tempting one to dive in immediately.

But there's a catch! The thing is, the water in Paleokastritsa is always cold, even during the hottest months, due to underwater currents and springs.

The climate in Corfu is milder and more humid than on the southern Greek islands, which contributes to the lush growth of all kinds of vegetation. There is literally no empty space left on the island.

Such a large amount of greenery wouldn't grow without moisture, which is why Corfu is considered the rainiest place in Greece. The tourist season here is the shortest. Tour companies, of course, will gladly send people here in May or October, as they won't be the ones getting soaked. Even in summer, clouds sometimes come in from the mainland, bringing brief showers, usually drawn to Mount Pantokrator. In neighboring Zakynthos or Kefalonia, seeing even a small cloud in the sky in July would be an event. Fortunately, the clouds here don't linger and quickly dissipate.

Those who know who Gerald Durrell is are probably familiar with his book "My Family and Other Animals," in which he wrote about the numerous land tortoises on the island of Corfu, particularly his tortoise named Achilles.

Besides the numerous butterflies, dragonflies, mantises, cicadas, beetles, crickets, and geckos, the island is also home to large snakes, and we almost ran over one. There are also scorpions, though fortunately, we didn't encounter any. Therefore, when walking among the olive groves and bushes, it's essential to be very careful and watch your step.

The most common trees on the island are the olive and the cypress. The olive trees here are extraordinarily tall, unlike those on other islands. We noticed that the island's inhabitants are a bit clever and don't pick the olives by hand as their neighbors do; instead, they spread nets and wait for the olives to fall on their own.

Additionally, Corfu is abundant with lemon, orange, pomegranate, and grape plants, as well as kumquat, which is a symbol of the island.

Not far from Paleokastritsa, there is a large plantation owned by the Mavromatis family and a factory where they make kumquat liqueurs and sweets. No tourist leaves the island without buying these delicious treats as a souvenir.

Corfu will also delight plane spotters, as there is a pedestrian concrete bridge built right in front of the runway, offering incredible photo opportunities.

The feeling is indescribable when a multi-ton machine roars just 10 meters above you.

In Corfu, the shortest runway in Europe is laid on an embankment in Halikopoulou Bay, measuring only 2375 meters in length. Therefore, during landing, the plane flies just a few dozen meters above the water, at the level of houses, creating the sensation that the plane is about to land right into the sea. Many passengers seated by the windows start feeling nervous. Pilots have to make a considerable effort to brake in time or accelerate for takeoff.

To pass the time before the next plane, you can feed the fish and crabs, which are abundant along the embankment.

Corfu has always been coveted due to its strategically advantageous position. Therefore, throughout various epochs, it was ruled by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, French, and British, who handed over Corfu to Greece in 1864.

To protect the island, two grand fortresses were erected: the Old Fortress (15th century) and the New Fortress (17th century). The Old Fortress was originally built by the Byzantines in the 8th century and later expanded by the Venetians and the British up to the 19th century. At its foothill stands the Church of Saint George. The New Fortress was established by the Venetians in 1577 and subsequently expanded by the French and the British.