Ano Korakiana: Village history on Mount Pantokrator

Ano Korakiana lies at the foot of Mount Pantokrator. The settlement stretches from east to west, and the village’s history dates back to the 14th century. Its very founding is associated with a distinctive description of its location: Ano Korakiana was built in a place protected from prying eyes and pirate raids. Together with its position on the mountain, this gives the village a distinctive historical and geographical character.

Lanes, churches and village history

A maze of cobbled lanes connects the picturesque neighbourhoods of Ano Korakiana. The character of the place is shaped not just by a single building, but also by the layout of its neighbourhoods. If you like to get to know a village as a whole when choosing where to spend your holiday, this is a clear focus: its historic settlement pattern, lanes and local history.

The number of old churches also makes Ano Korakiana special: there are 37 in the village altogether. One notable building is the church of Agios Athanasios near Nerosyrmi. It is the parish church of Ano Korakiana and is protected as a historic monument. The number of churches and the protected parish church offer different perspectives on the village’s religious history—from the total collection to a specific, named monument.

Another cultural highlight is the private museum of sculpture in Ano Korakiana. It displays sculptures by artist Aristidis Metallinos on a range of subjects. Thus, alongside the churches and village layout, sculpture and a known artist are also part of the area’s cultural profile. For planning your trip, the focus is clear: Ano Korakiana is known for its village history, old churches and art.

Corfu as a distinct cultural setting

In the wider destination of Corfu, the Old Town offers a different historical perspective. Its urban fabric is almost entirely preserved, with buildings dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Old Town of Corfu and its two fortresses are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alongside Ano Korakiana’s village history, Corfu therefore offers its historic urban fabric and a recognised World Heritage Site as distinct cultural themes to explore.

The museums in the Old Town add to this perspective. The Museum of Asian Art houses more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu displays the Gorgon-Medusa pediment from the great Temple of Artemis. It was created in 585 BC and excavated in 1911 near the Monastery of Aghioi Theodoroi. The museum was built primarily to display this pediment. Bus line 2, on the Mantouki–Kanoni route, is listed as a connection from Corfu Port to the Museum of Asian Art; check the timetable before travelling.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide which cultural focus you would like to shape your stay: the history, churches and sculpture of Ano Korakiana, or the Old Town and museums of Corfu. This lets you guide your choice by the kind of trip you want, without conflating the different places and what makes each one distinctive.

Discover more destinations: Lakones, Ermones, Agios Gordios, Episkepsi, Kassiopi, Giannades, Gaios, Lefkimmi.

Back to the main travel guide: Corfu.