Corfu Churches.

 Corfu town – Saint Spyridon's Church

Saint Spyridon's church, which is close to the Liston area of town, is the most famous and most visited church in Corfu. It is visited by thousands of tourists and Greek Orthodox pilgrims every year. 

It is the resting place of one of the most important Greek Orthodox Saints, Saint Spyridon. Four times a year, his mummified body in a silver and glass casket, is paraded around Corfu town. It is considered a blessing if you can kiss his slippered foot as he passes. He is the Patron saint of the island, and almost every family has a person who is named after the Patron saint.

The church, with its wonderful icons and fabulous silver chandeliers and incense burners is a tourist attraction, as well as being a Holy place of worship. The frescoes and religious icons are particularly fine.  The church was built in 1589.

Garitsa

The Byzantine church of Saint Jason and Saint Sosipater stands near the South shore of Garitsa Bay. It was formerly a Monastic church. It is dedicated to the two saints who were disciples of Saint Paul, who brought Christianity to Corfu around 70 AD. The church has some fine seventeenth century frescoes and icons. It has Historical monument status.

Kanoni

The early Christian Church of the Palaeopolis. This early Christian church of the Palaeopolis  ( ancient town) is over the road from the entrance of Mon Repos at Kannoni. It is in ruins, but the structure of the magnificent building is clearly defined.

 It was built and rebuilt during the 12^th, 15^th and 17^th centuries. It had a timber roof, with mosaic floors and many marble and stone sculptures. Decorative marble and statues were used from nearby ancient Temples and Roman structures to decorate the church. The long sides still feature eleven marble Lions heads which date from the 4^th century BC. Connections exist between the church and Saint Kerkyra. She was the daughter of the Roman Governor of Corfu, who was put to death on his orders when she converted to Christianity in 70 AD.

Legend has it that a fabulous hord of treasure is hidden in the ancient tunnels beneath the church and that it is guarded by Saint Kerkyra herself.

Church of Pontikinisi – Mouse Island- Perama.

This small Byzantine church, dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ, is shaped like a Greek cross, with a dome in the centre. It is thought to date from the 11^th century. It is on the tiny islet of Pontikonisi, just across the water from Perama. Boat trips visit the island daily.

Agios Markos chapel

In the picturesque village high on the mountain, overlooking the bay at Ipsos, stands the chapel of Saint Merkouris. It was built around 1074 and it has the oldest frescoes that can be reliably dated in Corfu. Most of the frescoes and icons date from around the eleventh century.

Church of Pantocrator

Above the village of Agios Markos, and far above the bay of Ipsos, is the Church of Pantocrator (Lord of the Universe). It dates from 1577. It is well known for its full size frescoes that date from the 16^th century.

Kato Korakiana.

Saint Nicolas' church in the village of Kato Korakiana is in ruins. It has Venetian frescoes from the 11^th century to the 17^th century.

Church of Saint Michael on the Mountain

This church is above the village of Kato Korakiana. The church to be seen now is an extension of the original building. The icons date from the 17^th century, but the partial fresco dates from the 11^th century.

Vatos

Situated on the West coast of the island, near to Ermones is the church of Saint Nicholas. It has fragments of 13^th century Byzantine frescoes. The church of Saint George is on top of  a high steep hill overlooking Ermones bay. It was built in 1469 and has 14^th century frescoes in the sanctuary.

Kamara- Agios Deka
The church of Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel is in the village of Kamara. It has 17^th century frescoes and pieces of ancient architecture which were incorporated into the building.

Church of Saint Blaise (Vlasios)

The church now has part of the roof missing, but the walls of the apse contain interesting architectural features, and seventeenth century frescoes.

Orthodox Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Spiliotissa
In the old town area of Corfu, near the old harbour, is this impressive Orthodox cathedral. It was first built in 1577, but did not become a cathedral till 1841. It has neo-classical icons.

Church of Saint Antony and Saint Andrew

In the centre of the Liston area of Corfu town, this church is on Nikophorou Theotoki Street. It is one of the oldest churches in Corfu town, and dates from the early 14^th century.

Church of the Resurrection

Dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, this church stands in the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Cemetery at Garitsa. It was built in 1840, and icons were brought here from other churches and monasteries in Corfu.

Church of the Blessed Virgin Kassiopitra- Kanoni

This village is near the tip of the headland at Kanoni. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin after a 16^th century miracle cured a blind man from Kassiopi.

Church of the Blessed Virgin Kassiopitra- Kassiopi

Kassiopi is a beautiful fishing village on the North East coast of Corfu. The church of the Blessed Virgin was built by the Turks in 1537 on the site of a much older Holy building. The Venetians rebuilt it as a Catholic church, and then it was returned to the Greek Orthodox tradition in the 17^th century. It has links with the previous church because of the 16^th century miracle.

Roman Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church is at the top of Solomon Street. It has regular services of worship.

Anglican Church

The thriving church of the English community of Corfu. It is situated in the middle of Gildford Street in Corfu town. It has regular services and meetings.

Jewish Synagogue

There is only one remaining Synagogue in Corfu. It is only used on special occasions and celebrations of Holy days. It can be found at Velissariou Street, in the old Jewish quarter of Corfu town.  

For more info on Jewish community in Corfu click here: Corfu Jewish