Monastery Today
With rugged beaches framing the verdant landscape and soaring cliffs, the isle of Corfu is a particularly perfect setting as a backdrop for Panagia Paleokastritsa. The road leading to Paleokastritsa is full of cypresses, olive trees and many kinds of flowers. The monastery of Panagia is built in the highest point of the green hill, on the right of the cove of Paleokastritsa. It is a building of Byzantine style dated from 1228. The view from the monastery is extraordinary. Visitors see the remains of the famous Angelokastro, built on the top of a hill in village Krini and the magnificent firths of Paleokastritsa that create a dreamy scenery. Upon arrival, it is recommended that a tour of the grounds be arranged with the local Monks that inhabit the facility. Bishop Efthimios is very accommodating and always willing to provide generous hospitality to any who wish to share in the magic of his grounds.
The small church of the monastery, the priest's cells and the yard were built in the 18th century but exude deep historical significance that dates back much further. The attached museum has a remarkable collection of byzantine icons, sacred books and other religious heirlooms that predate the structures themselves and provide a glimpse into the monastery's robust antiquity and tumultuous past . In its interior you will see a small traditional oil press that is used to produce the oil sold in the gift shop to support the facility's continued operations.
Upon walking the grounds, visitors quickly discover that the view from its cliff edge is extraordinary. They see the remains of the famous Angelokastro, built on the top of a hill in village Krini and the magnificent firths of Paleokastritsa that create a dreamy scenery. Once visitors arrive it is recommended that a tour of the grounds be arranged with the local Monks that inhabit the facility.
Bishop Efthimios is very accommodating and always willing to provide generous hospitality to any who wish to share in the magic of his grounds. He and his eight brethren are devoted to sharing the history and majesty of their historic home while offering unique insights (mostly in Greek) into the past and present of the monastery.
