Orthodox cathedral in the Campiello district of the Old Town, housing the relics of Saint Theodora Augusta.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Corfu, dedicated to the Panagia Spiliotissa (Our Lady of the Cave), stands on Mitropoleos Square in the Campiello district of the Old Town, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. The church was built in the 16th and 17th centuries in the Venetian period, and it became the cathedral of the Orthodox Metropolitan after an earlier church was lost. The setting in the old quarter, close to the harbour and the narrow lanes of Campiello, reflects the pattern of Orthodox parishes within the Venetian-controlled town, where the Catholic church held primacy but the Orthodox majority maintained its own institutions.
The cathedral houses the relics of Saint Theodora Augusta, the 9th-century Byzantine empress who restored the veneration of icons after the iconoclast period. Her remains were brought to Corfu after the fall of Constantinople and are kept in a silver casket displayed in the church. The building follows a basilica plan with a richly decorated interior, including an iconostasis with icons of the Heptanese school, painted ceilings, chandeliers and hanging oil lamps. The facade is restrained in style, with Italian influence typical of Ionian church architecture.
The cathedral is a working place of worship, and visiting hours depend on services. Visitors enter freely and may light candles and view the casket, which is the main object of devotion. The church has been maintained and restored over the centuries, including after damage in the Second World War, and its present condition is good. It is not a museum, and there is no formal interpretation, so it is best approached as an active church. The square in front of the cathedral is a quiet space within the Old Town, close to the Antivouniotissa Museum and the Old Port, and the cathedral can be combined with these in a short walk.
| Admission | Free (donations welcome) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open daily during daytime; varies with services |
| Address | Mitropoleos Square, Corfu Old Town, 491 00 Kerkyra, Greece |
Why it matters
The cathedral is the seat of the Orthodox Metropolitan of Corfu and holds the relics of Saint Theodora Augusta, a Byzantine empress. It reflects the continued Orthodox life of the island under Venetian rule.
Location
Mitropoleos Square, Corfu Old Town, 491 00 Kerkyra, Greece
39.6218, 19.9211 View on map
Highlights
- See the relics of Saint Theodora Augusta in their silver casket
- Look at the Heptanese-school icons on the iconostasis
- Notice the painted ceilings and hanging oil lamps
- Walk the quiet Mitropoleos Square in the Campiello district
Tips for visiting
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
- Avoid visiting during services unless attending.
- Ask before taking photographs, and avoid flash.
- Allow 15 to 20 minutes for a visit.
- Combine it with the Old Port and Antivouniotissa Museum nearby.
When to visit
Mornings outside service times are quiet. Major feast days bring larger congregations.
Accessibility
The entrance is near street level, but the surrounding lanes are narrow and paved with uneven stone. Wheelchair access to the nave is usually possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an admission charge?
No. Entry is free, and donations are welcomed.
Who was Saint Theodora Augusta?
She was a 9th-century Byzantine empress who helped restore the veneration of icons, and her relics are kept in the cathedral.
How long does a visit take?
A visit usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.