Paleokastritsa Monastery (Panagia Theotokos)

The Paleokastritsa Monastery, dedicated to the Panagia Theotokos, sits on a rocky headland above the bays of Paleokastritsa, about 25 km northwest of Corfu Town in Greece. The monastery was founded in the 13th century, though the present buildings date largely from the 18th century. Visitors enter through a gate into a courtyard filled with flowers, vines and potted plants, surrounded by whitewashed buildings, a bell tower and cloisters. The church inside contains icons, a carved wooden iconostasis and a few 18th-century paintings, and a small museum displays icons, manuscripts, liturgical items and objects tied to the monastery's history. A room with a traditional olive press shows how oil was once produced on the site, and a large sea-creature bone said to be from a whale or sea monster is exhibited as a curiosity. From the terraces, there are wide views over the bays, the turquoise water and the cliffs of the coast, and the monastery is often photographed with the headland in the background. The visit takes about 45 minutes, and a few extra minutes at the terrace give extra photographs. Modest dress is required, with shoulders and knees covered, and the monastery usually provides wraps at the entrance. It is open in the morning and again in the afternoon, with a break at midday, and entry is free with donations welcome. A small shop sells honey, olive oil and monastery products. The site gets busiest from late morning, when coaches and excursion groups arrive from across the island, so the early morning offers the quietest experience. It is a working religious community, so visitors should keep voices low and avoid entering areas marked as private. The monastery can be reached by the green KTEL bus from Corfu Town bus station or by car, and it is often combined with a swim at the bays and a visit to Angelokastro.