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The religious beliefs of the Corfiots.
Saint Spiridon, the Saint of the Corfiots

Processions. When and why they take place

 

Easter in Corfu is devout, splendid, special. That is why it is unique.

All you need to know to have the best possible time.

 

Churches in town which you must visit without fail.

 

Artists, hagiographers, writers, poets, scholars, musicians and architects have all left a rich legacy in Corfu: their work.

 

 

 

 

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St. Spiridon (1589)

The holiest and most famous church on the island, it houses the relics of the Patron Saint of the town. A wooden-roofed single-nave basilica, it was once the private church of the Voulgaris family. It has an impressive, towering campanile (the tallest in the town), reminiscent of that of San Giorgio dei Greci in Venice. Simple on the exterior, the Church has a particularly atmospheric interior, with a profusion of relics and votive offerings. The ceiling was painted in the 18th century by Panayiotis Doxaras, but it was destroyed in the 19th century and replaced with copies by N. Aspiotis. The marble iconostasis and the sumptuous casket are work of the 19th century.


St. John the Baptist (prior to 16th century)

One of the first Cathedral Churches of the Great Protopapas, it belongs to the Ionian type of church, a wooden-roofed single-nave basilica surrounded by a low covered exonarthex. The exterior is very simple, with a gently sloping roof and the characteristic bell-tower which rises above the church. The iconostasis is decorated with work by the School of Tzannes, as well as that of Tzenos and Chrysoloras, while the ceiling is a composition by Sperantzas and dates from 1773.


The Blessed Virgin of Strangers, the Lady of Revelations (beginning of 18th century)

A triple-nave wooden-roofed basilica, it was founded by a Corfiot monk, Nikodemus, and was long the parish church of the Greek community from Epiros. (the guilds of furriers and goldsmiths). The wooden iconostasis of the church was replaced in 1875 and the ceiling is the work of N. Koutouzis ( 18th century).


Ag. Nikolaos ton Geronton (beginning of 16th century)


One of the richest churches, used by the noble families. It belongs to the Ionian type, with some variations due to adaptation to its particular site. It was a Cathedral Church up to 1712 and has a rare example of a pulpit with access from the exonarthex. It has a superb carved iconostasis, one of the oldest existing in the town.


The Blessed Virgin of Spiliotissa and St. Vlassis (1577)

The Cathedral Church of Corfu since 1841, it is a triple-nave basilica which replaced an older church on the same site. There have been many alterations to both the exterior and interior. Amongst the many icons which adorn the Church, of particular interest are those by M. Damaskinos (16th century), Emmanuel Tzannes (17th century), and Paramythiotis (18th century), while the reversible icon of the Blessed Virgin Dimosiana is the oldest (15th century) and the most important icon in the Church.


The Blessed Virgin of Kremasti and Ag. Iakovos (prior to 16th century)


The church is of the Ionian type, and is connected to the priest's house. The western section is supported by the exonarthex. The geometric decoration of the northern face is reminiscent of 'graffito'. The interior of the Church is particularly impressive, with a marble iconostasis decorated with carved grapevine motifs, and with large, splendid icons by Sperantzas (18th century).


 

 
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