Kassiopi Castle

Kassiopi Castle is a ruined medieval fortress on the headland above the harbour of Kassiopi, on the northeast coast of Corfu, Greece, about 36 km north of Corfu Town. The site has been fortified since antiquity, and the surviving structure reflects both Byzantine and Angevin phases, followed by Venetian use, until the Venetians dismantled it in the late 16th century to prevent it falling into Ottoman hands. Today the castle consists of long stretches of wall, towers, gateways and partly collapsed bastions spread across the rocky promontory, with pine trees growing among the stones. Visitors reach it on foot from the village, climbing a path and steps for about ten minutes to the entrance. Inside the walls there is no formal visitor facility, so the experience is about wandering among the ruins, looking at the construction of the walls and finding vantage points. The views are the highlight, with the harbour of Kassiopi and its fishing boats below, the rooftops of the village and the coastline of north Corfu, and across the narrow channel the mountains of Albania, which lie only a few kilometres away. The best photographs are from the upper walls looking down on the harbour, and from the western side at sunset. The visit takes about 45 minutes. Late afternoon is a good time, as the light is soft and the heat has eased, whereas midday is hot and exposed. The site is open access during daylight hours and entry is free. Crowds are usually small, since most visitors to Kassiopi stay at the harbour and beaches. Sturdy shoes are advisable because stones are loose and uneven, and there are few barriers at the edges of the walls, so children need supervision. The village below offers tavernas and cafes for a meal after the climb, and the nearby Church of Panagia Kassopitra is also worth seeing. It can be reached by car or green KTEL bus to Kassiopi.