An island that has been always associated with Easter, a community with strong links with the arts that have been incorporated with its main product: tourism. An iconic island with the influences of its past and history still obvious, that creates an ideal blend, making each visit a unique experience.
The music, the litanies, the philharmonic bands, the gastronomy and the villages all create a range of options that establish the island’s uniqueness, rightfully attracting thousands of visitors who want to experience the island’s positive vibe. Having in mind this particular point in time, just a few days before Easter, in the heart of spring, we’ve made an effort to present 4 reasons, apart from the gastronomy, for which we fall in love with this island again and again.
For its Easter
Easter in Corfu is truly unique. Apart from the ‘botides’, the clay jugs that are thrown onto the street from windows during the first Resurrection, art-lovers can enjoy philharmonic concerts where they play hymns of the Holy Week, poetry nights at historic monuments around town, and also the solemn procession of the Epitaphs to the sound of the philharmonic bands playing and the melodic voices of the Corfu choirs. The polyphonic church music that echoes from the churches and the kantounia (narrow alleys) of town is truly unique. This chant is a unique four-part harmony whose origins are lost in time.
Orthodox and Catholics celebrate Easter together on the island. Another special tradition is the Nia Vdomada, in Corfu, they call the week after Easter Nia Vdomada, meaning the young week. On Easter Monday, the Litanies take place almost all over the island. Early in the morning, after mass, each church takes its pennant, its exapteriga (a fan made with a representation of a six-winged Seraphim mounted on a pole or staff) and its cross out and prayers are chanted. In the end they light the “maskoula”, iron pipes filled with gunpowder, sealed with corn or wood, with a small hole for the wick.
For its philharmonic bands
Corfu, a place with a long artistic tradition and a wide range of European influences, already from the 19th century encouraged the creation of clubs and associations to promote the arts and especially music. The first philharmonic band was founded in Corfu in 1840 and today there are 18 philharmonic bands playing music on every festive occasion, each one adding to the overall magical atmosphere. The Litanies of Agios Spiridonas, that take place on Palm Sunday, Easter Saturday morning, August 11th, and the first Sunday of November, are a very spiritual experience, as well as a very interesting musical experience, accompanied by the philharmonic bands.
For the experience of visiting its traditional villages
One of Corfu’s treasures is its 48 traditional villages. They are impressive sights that reflect and express a way of life, a local economy, a society, an aesthetic, and art movements that have been developed throughout the island’s history. They have only been mildly developed in terms of tourism, showcasing the island’s true character and are ideal for a wide range of alternative activities.
The traditional village Argirades, the fish village Petritis, the scenic Agios Mattheos, Ano Garouna, Kato Garouna, Agioi Deka, Gastouri, Agios Prokopios, Sinarades, Kinopiastes….their beauty is endless.
For cricket and horseback riding
A big surprise for Greece, is cricket in Corfu. The island has a 170-year-old tradition in the sport. Due to the British rule, it’s the only place in Greece that has the facilities for cricket. There are five clubs and two courts, with the more beautiful and atmospheric one located in the historic centre of the town of Corfu, on Spianada square.
Another unique activity on offer in Corfu is horseback riding. Equestrian clubs and specialised companies offer the chance to enjoy beautiful routes among olive groves, on old trails, or by the sea, on horseback. The therapeutic horseback riding for children is a very interesting activity, offered by an equestrian club in Kanoni using Skyrian horses (a breed of miniature horses from Skyros island).
Read also:
6 special cafés in the old town of Corfu, Greece
Casa Parlante: The aristocratic Corfu of the 19th century comes to life in a museum
Get lost in the old town of Corfu, one of the most idyllic places in the Ionian Sea
