VILLA ELENA CORFU PRIVATE POOL

Welcome to Corfu the most famous of the Ionian Islands and one of the most popular in the Mediterranean. A pole of attraction for hundreds of thousands of visitors every year but also a source of inspiration for all the fine arts, with a special cultural heritage has a special glamour, which in combination with natural beauty, wonderful climate beaches and interesting attractions make it one of the most attractive destinations for Greek citizens and foreign travelers.

The homonymous capital of the island is a city museum place with a great artistic tradition and with many European influences is the most successful example of a combination of Greek and western architecture. Its excellently preserved historic center has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time for the excellent museums that the city of Corfu has. Starting with:

1. The Museum of Asian Art (located in the palace of Saints Michael and George) with 10,000 exhibits from the Far East.

2. The Archaeological Museum with the Gorgos impressive gable from the Doric temple of Artemis Gorgos.

The five favorite places that you must visit are:

    a. Mon Repo: A visit to this beautiful estate is required. Admire the summer residence of the English commissioner, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture of the 19th century.

     b. The famous Kanoni: From here take a small boat to Pontikonisi, the small island, which according to mythology, was a ship of the Phaeacians (according to Homer) and that turned into stone.

      c. The Old Town, which is the ancient city of Corfu. Here look for the temple of Artemis Gorgos, one of the archaic all-stone Doric temples of the Greek ancient world (6th century BC). Impressive is the well-preserved large altar made of porous limestone.

      d. In a short distance from the city of Corfu is Achilles, the famous palace of the Empress of Austria Elizabeth (well-known as Princess Sissi),  which today functions as a museum.

Five beaches worth visiting in Corfu and a short distance from Kontokali are:

     a. Dasia

     b. Ypsos

     c. Barbati

     d. Glyfada

     e. Sidari   

     f. Palaiokastritsa

 

Do not leave Corfu without trying the local specialties:

     a. Pastitsada: beef or rooster with spices

     b. Sofrito: thin slices of beef in a saucepan with white sauce. Serve with puree (melted potatoes) or rice.

     c. Savouro: The food of sailors - small fried fishes marinated in white sauce with garlic, rosemary and vinegar.

     d. Bourdeto: haddock fish cooked in red hot sauce, quenched with fresh lemon juice.

The Nougat made from tahini (sesame oil) with whole almonds stands out from the local sweets. The  Fogatza, a type of bun of Venetian origin, as well as the Columbine Christmas bread. The  Manoles with the roasted and caramelized almonds.

​

What to do if you find yourself on the island at Easter

 

On Maundy Thursday

Red eggs are dyed and the Twelve Gospels are read in all Churches. In the Catholic cathedral Duomo in the Town Hall square, the custom calls for twelve lighted candles that are gradually extinguished, each time a gospel ends.

 

On Good Friday

 

It is the day of the processions of epitaphs, which in some churches of the city take place during the day, while in the villages at night. The ritual is almost all day long and certainly unique. The epitaphs come out in a fixed order from each temple and they all cross in the center of the City.

The first epitaph comes from the church of Panagia Spilaiotissa in Neos Frourio, together with the epitaph of the church of Pantokrator in Kabielos, then all the others follow, with the last and most majestic one, that of the Metropolis, which comes out after 10 pm.

The presence of the entire priesthood in their golden robes is mesmerizing. The whole procession is accompanied by a philharmonic orchestra, Venetian lanterns (Manualia), banners and torches which are turned to the side as a sign of mourning.

A choir and thousands of believers with lit large candles, the "torches", follow and sing the mourning processions of Great Friday. The route from the Metropolis goes up to Muragia, through the gate of the palaces it ends in Spianada and from there to the historical center of the city, with thousands of lit candles on the road.

The three oldest philharmonics of the city accompany the route throughout its duration, each always playing a specific piece: the Red, which is the "Old" Philharmonic, plays Albinoni's Adagio, the Blue, that is, the "Mantzaros" philharmonic plays Marcia Funebre by G. Verdi, and the philharmonic "Kapodistrias" Elegia Funebre, Mariani's Sventura and Chopin's mournful passage.

 

On Holy Saturday

 

You can stand at the intersection of Theotoki and Palaiologou Streets - it has elevated sidewalks with a good view - or on Guildford Street. The events and customs start from 6.00 in the morning at the Church of Our Lady of Foreigners where an artificial "earthquake" is represented with the lights going out and loud noises, in a representation of the earthquake that happened according to the Gospel during the Resurrection.

At 9 a.m., the procession of the Epitaph of the Church of Agios Spyridon takes place (it is the only Epitaph, whose procession takes place on Holy Saturday). Along with the epitaph, there is also a Litanization of the Tabernacle of Agios Spyridon, this time, in memory of the salvation of the island from famine. The epitaph of Saint Spyridon wanders the city alone, with the philharmonic playing the mournful Amleto, a unique Requiem.

The first Resurrection

And while, until then, all the windows of the mansions and houses are closed, with purple cloths hung as a sign of mourning and respect for the Holy Passions, suddenly, within a few minutes, they pass from the mourning of the epitaph to the joy of the first Resurrection. On the island it takes place at 11.00 on the morning of Holy Saturday, with the philharmonic bands playing joyful marches. The sight is truly spectacular. From all the balconies, the inhabitants throw small and large clay jugs and pitchers full of water into the street, while, at the same time, all the Church bells ring joyfully. The custom is about the desire for a new beginning and the expulsion of evil from every home.

Shortly after, follows the custom of "Mastela", in Pinia, in the old commercial center of the city. Into a large open barrel (Mastela), filled with water, decorated with palms and myrtles, passers-by must drop through at least one coin. In the end, whoever falls into Mastela gets them.

 

​