Bella Venezia Hotel

Easter in Corfu-Good Friday

by mindcrime

This is probably a nice day to visit the Old Town. Before noon the churches are full of believers. It’s the day that the Epitafios goes through the streets of its parish like a litany/parade. After 14.00 some of the churches (Panagia Spiliotissa, Pantokratoras, Agios Georgios, Catholic cathedral) put their epitaphios out on the streets, with the believers behind them. Epitafios symbolize the funeral of Jesus Christ. Each church has one which is decorated by young girls (elsewhere by old women), some of them are small, others more impressive.

One after the other all the churches do the same so the streets are full of them and the believers that follow behind. The unique custom in Corfu is that they are accompanied by the philharmonic orchestras that play sad tunes while the bells of the church are in funeral tone too and the whole atmosphere is more emotional. Most of them are also accompanied by choir, tortses(big candles), manoualia (venetian lamps), skoles (flags) etc Small girls (pic 3) that hold baskets full of colorful flowers (Corfu is full of them this seasom) and students are also part of the ceremonies.

I found a map that was showing the routes of them, it’s very useful if you want to find a specific spot (like a café) and watch from there several of them.

The biggest one is during the night (pics 4-5) when the people gather for the one of Cathedral, actually the people are packed in Liston, the best spot for us was behind the Palace. From there we could see the whole ceremony, and enjoyed the Albinoni’s Adagio by the PALEA orchestra, the Verdi’s Marcia Funebre by MANTZAROS orchestra and Mariani’s Seventura by KAPODISTRIAS orchestra.

See a video of the day here (video)

tasty Lamb dish

by mickeyboy07 about Panorama

On the main st.in Agios Georgeos is the Panorama Restaurant serving excellent food night and day,the place is very well decorated with an outside and inside eating area and stunning views over the sea.This is a great spot to see the sun setting.the staff are excellent and efficiant and the owner will visit each table for a quick welcome chat,price wise a little on the expensive side probably because of its location but the food was quickly served and very good indeed. I had the Lamb Klefito a local dish served in a ceramic bowl consisting of lamb and sticky potatoes topped with cheese and cinnamon and lemon juice,very good indeed.

THE MONASTRY OF PALEOCASTRITSA

by alyf1961

The monastery at Paleocastritsa is beautiful. We had a guided tour, which was very informative. Because of strict Greek orthodox rules, everybody had to have their shoulders and knees covered. The grounds are beautiful and the surroundings serene.

Corfu

by seagoingJLW

"My Personal Favorite Island in Greece"

Corfu is located in the Ionian Sea at the entrance of the Adriatic. It has an area of 592 sq km and a coastline of 217 km. Its population of over 100,000 makes it the largest Ionian island in terms of population. It is the seventh largest Greek island.

The island is covered with cypress trees, fruit tress, olives and vineyards.

The prefecture of Corfu (Kerkyra) includes the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, and the islets of Discalia, Panayiya, and Exolithro all of which are south fo Corfu Island and Othoni, Ericousa and Mathraki to the northwest.

Corfu has mild winters and refreshing summers, but it does have high humidity. Its annual rainfall is the highest in Greece.

Corfu was mentioned as a stop during the mythical voyage of Jason and the Argonauts. In Homer it is called The Rich Island of the Phaeacians (Scheria,) ruled by Alcinoos whose daughter Nausicaa found Odysseus wading ashore from his wrecked ship.

"History"

The historical period began with the Corinthian Emigration of 734-229 BC.
Their great naval and economic strength led them to break with Corinth. The first naval battle was in 664 BC and the second in 432 BC.

With the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War in 432 BC, Corfu allied with Athens. It became part of the Athenian Alliance in 374 BC.

In 373 BC the Spartans took vengeance. Then in 361 new slaughtering and looting took place.

The Phaeacians maintained influence until 303 BC when the Spartan General Kleonimos took over. Then, in 301 BC the Tyrant of Sicily, Agathokles took over.

In 229 BC the Corfiots were forced to accept an occupation under Dimitrius the Pharian.