Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa is located on the west side of Corfu and the monastery is up a fairly steep snaking tarmac road, hard going if your very unfit. Once at the top there is a taverna if you need refreshments.

Entrance into the monastery is free but their is a box available for any donations. A dress code should be observed as this is a religious place and is still in use, ladies should cover their shoulders and legs and men should wear T-shirts not vests and not short shorts, common sense is the issue of the day. Some clothes are provided at the entrance if people do not bring their own, while walking around a lot of people did not take any notice of the dress code which is very annoying.

Once inside you notice the calmness, we were lucky and arrived when there was no tour coaches in. Lots of plants decorate the walls and are spread around in pots. Even though the monastery is in an elevated position there is little breeze so it is very warm. As you walk down into the lower level area you can feel the coolness and benches are placed here for a nice place to rest. Along here is a room with an oil press, which the monks once used for making olive oil.


On the upper level is a bell tower and chapel located in the center of the monastery, the chapel is dark and cool and is decorated in religious icons, silver wear and the ceiling and walls have frescoes painted on them.

The monastery has a small museum which has the remains of what they say is a sea monster and other artefact's from the thirteenth century monastery. A shop sells olive oil, postcards, replica icons and wine.

For me the best part was sitting down on the bench looking out at the panoramic views to the sea and island, with the smell of the the bougainvillea and other varies flowers, and knowing it is a downhill walk back to the hotel.