To begin with, you have to imagine the site of the Vlacherna monastery in Kanoni, without Corfu's busy airport, and without the tourists too: just a few kilometres south of Corfu town, this place of meditation enjoyed grandiose peace and quiet, at the entrance to a wide, shallow lagoon.
It really is the image most often used to represent the charms of Corfu: the monastery of Vlacherna, standing on a slab of water, seems almost to be levitating above a sea that doesn't show a crease. It has to be said that the whole thing is particularly photogenic.
An unmissable excursion from Corfu**, the Vlacherna monastery lies to the south of a large lagoon on which Corfu airport is built. The Olympian calm that emanates from the site is therefore frequently broken, in season at least, by the flight of planes as they land.
All of which adds a touch of the impromptu to a site that has stood still for centuries. A few fathoms away, a small island promises to be the second stop on the tour: **The tiny island of Pontikonissi is home to a Byzantine chapel, hidden among the cypress trees... The perfect opportunity to take a short boat trip!
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Vlacherna Monastery
- © SCStock / ShutterstockThe Vlacherna monastery, from place of worship to Instagram star
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Sunrise over the Vlacherna monastery
- © Neirfy / ShutterstockThe surrounding landscape is magnificent: the heights of Corfu stretching the length of its coastline, the massive Greek mainland, marked by the relief of Epirus just opposite, and between the two, a beautiful, tranquil-looking inlet, its water often oily and reflecting the intense blue sky, all bathed in generous Mediterranean sunshine. An attractive setting in which to found a monastery!
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A very photogenic site
- © Fotokon / ShutterstockThe monastery of Vlacherna dates back to the 17th century. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Panagia Vlachernon): built on a small rocky islet, it eventually fell into decline during the 19th century. The history of this small monastery can be summed up in a few words... Its main interest is expressed through other qualities: photogenic, Instagrammable, whatever you want to call it, the Vlacherna monastery knows how to make itself attractive through the image it projects!
Panorama
Accommodation opposite the island of PontikonisiA walk around the Vlacherna monastery: the island of Pontikonissi
The Vlacherna monastery is a veritable tourist pilgrimage destination in Corfu, but you don't go there just to take a photo. While the site itself, a slab on the sea overlooked by the monastery's buildings, can be visited in just a few minutes, there is plenty of time to explore the surrounding area.
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Pontikonissi, in the background
- © Izabela23 / ShutterstockJust off the coast of the Vlacherna monastery, only a short distance away, the small island of Pontikonissi and its cypress trees stand out against the calm sea. "Small' is a poor word to describe it: it's actually tiny! So much so that its name, Pontikonissi, translates as the island of the mouse...
Despite its small size, Pontikonissi carries a certain mythological weight. It is said, for example, that it was here that Ulysses ran aground on the last stage of his Odyssey before reaching his island of Ithaca. Others claim that it was Odysseus' ship that was turned to stone by Poseidon, who was angry with him... you choose your version of events!
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The ferryman for Pontikonissi
- © stamkar / ShutterstockMeanwhile, on this small promontory, a venerable white chapel, typical of all Greek landscapes, has watched over the island since the Byzantine period (12th century). Orthodox, with iconostasis and icons, the chapel is dedicated to Christ Pantokrator (Almighty). To reach Pontikonissi, a small ferry leaves regularly from the jetty leading to the Vlacherna monastery.
Testimonial
Pontikonissi lies on the runway axis of Corfu airport: at the height of the season, the noisy ballet of planes coming and going on the runway, seemingly skimming over the islet, is a delight for lovers of unusual images.
👉 The monastery of Vlacherna and Pondikonissi, practical information
How do I get to the Vlacherna monastery?
- By car, 15 minutes from Corfu town centre, 4km southbound
- By bus, line 2 from G. Theotoki square in the town centre with the blue buses.
How do I get to the island of Pontikonissi?
Small ferries leave at regular intervals from the pontoon leading to the Vlacherna monastery. The crossing takes just a few minutes. The crossing costs around €3.
When should I go to the Vlacherna monastery?
The Vlacherna monastery is extremely photogenic, but also terribly busy, like all the most beautiful sites in Corfu. It opens its doors from sunrise to sunset.
The setting is incredible at first light, as you watch the sunrise over the Greek coastline on the horizon. The colour of the water is magnificent! It's just as beautiful at the end of the day in the fading light.
Where can you have a bite to eat or a drink around the Vlacherna monastery?
A number of cafés have been strategically set up overlooking the Vlacherna monastery, offering unbeatable views from their terraces.
Watch the planes from the Vlacherna Monastery:
This is a popular activity, and the spot, from the concrete embankment, offers the best seats to watch the planes take off and land on the runway at nearby Corfu airport. At the height of the season, it's non-stop!