Velianitatika: Stone Paths and Venetian Architecture

Velianitatika’s character is defined above all by its stone paths and old Venetian architecture. An uphill main street paved with stone slabs runs through the village; it is called “High Street”. There are also imposing houses dating from the early 19th century, which represent the traditional architecture of Paxos. The stone paths invite you to explore the village on foot, rather than seeing it merely as a name on an island map. If you are interested in the history of the built environment, you will find two distinct features here: the named main street with its paving, and the houses, whose age and architecture reveal an earlier building period.

You can also get specific about what you would like to do on foot. In the village itself, there are stone paths for strolling; in the surrounding area, hiking trails lead through old olive groves. There are also secluded coves with crystal-clear water. One route listed on Paxos runs from Zenebisatika via Velianitatika and Fanariotatika to Galazio; it is described as taking about 30 minutes. The short routes on Paxos are not signposted, so check the route of your chosen trail before setting out. This makes it easy to distinguish between a stroll in the village and a hike in the surrounding area.

Sacred architectural history nearby

At the central entrance to Panagia of the Velianites stand a bell tower and a large inscription bearing the words “PANAGIA TON VELLIANITON”. Beside the church is a vaulted water cistern. The present-day church consists of two buildings: one was built on the ruins of a pre-Christian cruciform church, while the other is a later addition. This design reveals several building phases at the same site.

The Monastery of Panagia ton Vellianiton stands on a small island in the port of Gaios, in front of the island of Agios Nikolaos. In 1720, Panagia of the Velianites became a communal monastery with ten monks. Around 1850, it was converted into a convent and remained one until 1935. According to tradition, the Vellianites brought the icon of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary from the village of Velliani in Epirus and placed it in the new church. Panagia ton Vellianiton is celebrated every year on August 15; on this day, many worshippers come to the island of Panagia to venerate the icon.

Beside the church, a lighthouse stands on an ancient tower; it has been in operation since 1825. As early as 1776, the monks kept a lantern burning to keep ships away. Together with the monastery’s history and the tradition surrounding the icon, this offers a distinctive way to explore the cultural history of the area.

Village character and finding accommodation

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by deciding what matters most: should the village’s houses and stone paths be the deciding factor, or are you particularly interested in hiking trails and the sacred history of the surrounding area? Velianitatika itself is known for its old architecture and paths in the village; hiking destinations are in the nearby area. This distinction can help you choose where to stay based on the experiences on Paxos that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Glyfada, Dafnata, Argyrades, Agios Mattheos, Dassia, Giannades, Perivoli and Kalami.

Return to the main travel overview: Corfu.