Local History

The name Paleokastritsa literally means "Old Fortress" or "Old Castle" and indicates that there was once such a building on the rocky promontory where the present day monastery stands. Originally the name Paleokastritsa referred only to the monastery and the surrounding area but in recent times it now covers the wholeresort as we know it today.

The original settlement of Paleokastritsa (Paleochora) was on the rocky outcrop that protects the marina. Excavations there have unearthed an ancient settlement, including four churches, some of whose foundations can still be seen, which is why many scholars believe that this area maybe the site of King Alcinous' fabulous palace from Homer's Odyssey.

Eventually, due to attack by seafaring enemies, the local inhabitants moved up into the hills and built the village of Lakones. The original village was built behind a rocky crag which hid its location from ground level. Paleokastritsa at this time was basically olive groves, farm land and the fishing grounds for the villagers.

During Corfu's years as a British Protectorate, as well as leaving the recipe for ginger beer and giving us cricket, the British built a road to Paleokastritsa, thus paving the way for the first tourists. It became a popular visiting place for the Kaiser, the Greek royal family and famous politicians of the day (a sign at the "Bella Vista" vantage point proclaims these visitors) and the lobsters from Paleokastritsa Bay were so popular that the royal family had them shipped to the mainland to be eaten when entertaining in their palace.

Over the years Paleokastritsa became popular with other travellers, leading to the creation of today's holiday resort. The first buildings were around Aghios Spiridon beach and many establishments in Paleokastritsa have old black and white photographs or etchings of the area, as it once was, proudly displayed on their walls.

The area also became a popular backdrop for many of the classic Greek films which although based in Corfu Town often had scenes filmed around Paleokastritsa.

Despite its size Paleokastritsa has produced its fair share of famous inhabitants. Nikos Kourkoulos, the famous Greek actor, was born in Makrades to the north of Paleokastritsa and the new municipal amphitheatre is named in his honour. Vicky Leandros, whose real name is Vassiliki Papathanasiou, was born in 1949 in Paleokastritsa and went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972 representing Luxembourg.