Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Corfu & the Ionian Islands

44 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Cathedrals and
Monasteries

Platytera Monastery,
3
Corfu
MAP N2 • Corfu Town, Corfu
Famous for housing the tomb of the
first Governor of Greece – the Corfiot
Ioánnis Kapodístrias who held office
from 1827 to 1831 – this monastery
dates from the 18th century. Nearby
there is a statue of the governor.
Cathedral of the Virgin,
4
Ithaki
MAP J4 • Vathý, Ithaki
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this
Greek Orthodox cathedral is quite
beautiful. Its carved stone work and
bell tower, which date from 1820, are
well preserved, and the 18th­century
Katharon Monastery interior, Ithaki iconostasis is one of the finest
examples in the Ionians.
Katharon Monastery,
1 Monastery of the Virgin
Ithaki
Hodegetria, Lefkáda
MAP H4 • Anogi, Ithaki 5
Sitting at an altitude of around 600 m MAP J1 • Lefkáda Town outskirts,
(2,000 ft), Katharon is one of the Lefkáda
highest monasteries on the islands. Built in 1420, this monastery is the
It lies on Mount Niritos, not far from oldest on Lefkáda and is noted for
the small village of Anogi. Remote its traditional 15th­century design,
and beautiful, the monas tery is characterized by a single aisle and an
dedicated to the Virgin Mary. austere exterior. The craftsmanship
of its tim ber roof is mesmerizing.
Cathedral of the
2 Monastery of the Virgin
Evangelistria, Kefalloniá
of Vlacherna, Corfu
MAP G5 • Argostóli, Kefalloniá 6
A rela tively new landmark in MAP D4 • Kanóni, Corfu
Kefallonia’s capital, Argostóli, the Set in a stunning location on the islet
Cathedral of the Evangelistria is an of Vlacherna and linked to Corfu by a
enchanting Greek Orthodox structure small bridge, the Monastery of the
that was built in 1957. It is significant Virgin of Vlacherna dates back cen­
because of its intricate icons and ico­ turies. The distinctive white build ing
nostasis, which are the work of cele­ lies on the edge of a beautiful lagoon
brated local artist Theodoroi Poulakis. known as Chalikopoulos.
Monastery of the Virgin of Vlacherna, Corfu

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