Early Christian and Byzantine churches

The byzantine church of Saints Jason and Sosipater.

At a little distance from the southern shore of the bay of Garitsa near the city of Corfu is one of the most significant churches of the island.

This church is dedicated to the Saints Jason and Sosipater who had been disciples of St. Paul and brought Christianity to Corfu.

The church architecture is of the late 10th or early 11th century and it is unique in the Ionian islands.

The early christian basilica of Paleopolis.

Opposite the entrance to the estate of Mon Repos stands the ruined church of Paleopolis (church of the ancient city), owning its name to the fact that it was built within the area of the ancient city of Corcyra.

The remains of the church show successive building stages going back to different periods. It was founded in the first half of the 5th century on the site of an older Roman public building. The church was built by the bishop Jovian who used material taken from pagan buildings which he distroyed.

The convent of the Saints Theodore.

It stands close to the temple of Artemis. The church forms part of an early christian basilica of which the nave and the southern aisle still exist. The basilica dates back to the 5th century and was built with materials taken probably from the temple of Artemis.

The byzantine church of Pantokrator at Pontikonisi.

The tiny isle of Pontikonisi opposite Kanoni is crowned by a small byzantine church dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ. It is in the shape of a Greek cross with an octagonal dome in the centre. Several architectural features allow it to be dated to the 11th or 12th century .

The chapel of Saints Michael and Gabriel at Omali.

It is situated in the district of Omali in the nothern part of the island and contains some interesting frescoes.

The chapel of Saint Mercurios near the village of Ayios Markos.

The chapel stands below the village of Ayios Markos, not far from the coast at Pyrgi. It was built and decorated, according to one inscription, during the reign of the Emperor Michael Doukas and dedicated to the Prophet Elijah and the Martyr Merkourios. The church is of particular interest because it contains the oldest dated frescoes in Corfu, going back to the 11th century.

The church of Pantokrator at Ayios Markos.

A little distance above the village of Ayios Markos is the old barrel-vaulted church of Christ Pantokrator (Lord of the Universe) dating from 1577. The church is especially interesting for its frescoes, most of which belong to the 16th century and which cover the walls almost completely.

The church of Saint Nicholas at Kato Korakiana.

In the village of Kato Korakiana on a hill stands the ruined church dedicated to St. Nicholas. It is a single-nave basilica dating from Venetian times. The frecoes which decorated the north wall are of special interest. They have recently been detached and are now housed in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George.

The church of St. Michael at Kato Korakiana.

This church is commanly known as St. Michael on the Mountain. It is an extension of an older chapel whose long walls are still intact. It has been recently restored by the Department of Byzantine Antiquities.

The church of St. Nicholas at Vatos.

It is a single-nave basilica located in the village of Vatos in the western part of the island.

The church of St. George at Vatos.

Near the village of Vatos a little church with a semi-circular apse is dedicated to St. George. It stands on the summit of a steep hill and existed in 1469, as it mentioned in a manuscript of that year. The frescoes are still in existance and they belong to the 14th century or the first half of the 15th century.

The church of Saints Michael and Gabriel at Kamara.

In the village of Kamara at the foot of Mount Ayii Deka (Ten Saints) stands this church which is decorated with frescoes dating from the 17th century. It also contains ancient architectural fragments and early Christian reliefs.

The church of St. Blaise (Vlasios) at Kamara.

It is situated in an olive grove, at a short distance south of the church of Saints Michael and Gabriel. It was built in the 17th century and is decorated with byzantine and post-byzantine frescoes.

The church of St. Marina at Gardiki.

Not far from the byzantine fortress of Gardiki there is a small church dedicated to St. Marina. It contains some frescoes dating back to 16th century.