This tour includes:
- Transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicle with a driver Transportation from your resort is included in the price for resorts that are in radius of 25 km from centre of Corfu town. If you are staying in remote resorts please contact us for additional transfer rates.
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Professional English (or your chosen language) speaking tour guide
- Visit to the major churches of Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic religions located in Corfu Town
- Free time for shopping and/or dining in Corfu Town
This private tour has been specially designed for everyone interested in the Christian religion, and the culture and history of Christianity of Corfu. The tour comprises visits of the most important churches in Corfu Town. At the end of the tour you will have enough free time to continue sightseeing, shop or dine in one of the traditional tavernas.
The Church of St. Spyridon
The church dedicated to the Patron Saint of Corfu is the Church of St. Spyridon. It was built in 1598 and is by far the most notable place of worship on the island. The remains of the saint are preserved and kept in a silver casket. As one of the Great Saints of Greek Orthodoxy his shrine is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
The interior is decorated with magnificent frescoes and the design of the building a is a single nave basilica, similar to St. Giorgio's del Greci, the Greek Church in Venice. The white marble railings that were made in Venice in 1852 separate the front of the sanctuary from the nave. The bell tower is the tallest in the Ionian Islands, it is topped with a red dome making it easily identified.
The Orthodox Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Spiliotissa
Considered one of the most beautiful churches on Corfu, it is dedicated to Saint Theodora, Corfu’s second Saint. She is noted for restoring the veneration of holy icons in 843, after which she was canonized by the Greek Orthodox Church. In 1453, along with the body of Saint Spyridon, her remains were brought to Corfu after the fall of Constantinople. Her body lies in a silver coffin next to the altar. The church dates from 1577 and was built as a single nave basilica. In 1841 when the church became the Cathedral of Corfu it was enlarged to a three-aisled basilica. The icons are of outstanding artistic importance and are displayed upon a wall, ‘iconostasis’, which separates the nave from the rest of the church.
The Church of Saint Antony and Saint Andrew
According to research it is thought that this is the oldest church in Corfu Town. Originally dating from the 14th century the church dramatically changed its appearance when it was rebuilt in 1753. The chancel wall is made from Carrara marble and was designed by Corfiot architect and sculptor Alexander Trivoli-Pierris. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches not only on Corfu, but the whole of Greece.
Cathedral of Saint Christopher and Saint James
The Catholic Cathedral, known locally as the ‘Duomo’ was originally built in the 16th Century. It was sanctified in 1553 by Father James Cocco and is the seat of the Archbishop of Corfu, Zante and Kefalonia. It was built in the classical Venetian style in the old Town Hall Square near the San Giacomo Theatre. Although still not as p0 in comparison to cathedrals throughout Greece and Europe, in 1622 it was decreed too small so it was rebuilt 1658. The exterior was destroyed during a bombing raid in 1943. In 1970 the restoration works finished and an organ, brought from the historic Church of St. Francis was installed in 1980.
The interior has a single aisle with six small side chapels. These were added by Bishop Lavia, at his own expense, during the works of 1658. There are some excellent examples of ecclesiastical artwork and funerary monuments. The roof is wooden, and there are some impressive stained glass windows.
Over the centuries the Cathedral has provided spiritual aid and guidance to Corfiot Catholics, pilgrims and visitors.
The tour finishes in the heart of Corfu Old Town now there will be time to stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets the ‘Kantounia’, walk along the Espianada and visit the cricket ground, or have lunch in one of the many tavernas.