Paxos - Ionian Islands

Paxos is an attractive little island south of Corfu covered with subtropical vegetation, with beautiful bathing beaches and good diving grounds. On the south coast the Ypapanti sea-cave (seals) is worth visiting. Anti-Paxos is further south and has beautiful lonely beaches. The 100 or so inhabitants live by sheep farming or fishing.

Paxos and Anti Paxos can be found 14 kilometres south of Corfu, 20 kilometres to the east is Parga on the mainland of Greece. Paxos covers an area of some 19 square kilometres and is one of a cluster of picturesque small islands set in the Ionian Sea.

Paxos has no airport, can only be reached by boat and has been able to protect itself from the strain of modern tourism. You will find the pace is still unhurried, very relaxing with genuine friendly Greek hospitality at its best. Paxos has a permanent population of approximately 2,300 inhabitants; there are three main villages, Gaios which is the capital of Paxos, Lakka and Loggos.

2005 is a very special year for Paxos as it has been declared the "Cultural Village of Europe". As part of the celebrations for this honour Paxos.

God made Paxi in a man's measure -you can easily sail around the island's perimeter as it is only 10 kilometres long and four kilometres wide. Silver-green olive groves reach down to the foot of the cliffs on the south western coast and sandy beaches surround the capital. Antipaxi is an easy sail, and the beaches at Voutourni or Vrikei invite you to swim. A number of small islands are located near Gaios the capital, with fortresses (Agios Nikolaos), monasteries and phantasmagoria sea caves (Grotto of Ipapantis).

Places to visit

Gaios -There is a large quay which stretches from one side of the town to the other. The port can be fairly noisy if you are tied close to the cafes. It offers good shelter and a picturesque port. There is water available at the quay and fuel is available. Most provisioning can be found in town. South of the island is the largest town but it's still very much a working fishing port with caiques tied up in the harbour. When you approach Gaios from the north you enter a very beautiful inlet passing the islands of Panayia and St Nicholas.

Lakka - is the second largest and is situated at the north end of the island. Its bay is spectacular and it is very popular for boat owners who wish to stay a day or so. Anchor in the bay where on convenient. It offers good shelter from the wind and a nice place for a swim. There is a small quay but it is used for the day-tripper boats. You can get water at the quay sometimes. Provisioning is available as well as several tavernas and bars.

Longos - the smallest of the three main villages is a very quiet fishing village with a picturesque harbour fronted by tavernas and small bars. It's a great place to peacefully while away the time.This small harbor is located on the E coast of Paxos. You must moor in the bay as the quay is reserved for the local boats. You can find several tavernas and bars ashore.

Mongonisi - is at the southern tip of Paxos and is a delightful place to spend the day. The beach is sandy, there is very good taverna which is open all day and in the evening there is Greek Dancing. This bay offers the best shelter in Paxos. There is a small quat to moor onto. The bottom offers good holding. There are several tavernas and bars.

Petlas - This large island offers good shelter from prevailing winds. You can anchor behind the SE corner of the island. There is a cave located above which is home to a pair of vultures

History

Corfu (ancient: Korkyra, Corcyra) is identified as the Homeric Scheria, the land of the Phaeacians and their king Alkinoos. The oldest traces of human settlement on the island point to the presence of farm¬ing peoples who may have come from Italy. Corfu was colonized by Corinth in 734 BCE, but developed into a powerful State, which threatened the mother city. A naval victory by the Corinthians over the Corcyraeans in the Sybota Islands (probably round the mouth of the River Kalamas, which is now silted up) was a major factor in the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. In 229 BCE the island was captured by Rome, and when the Empire was finally split in two in 395 became part of the Byzantine Empire.

The medieval name of the island, now the accepted English name, is believed to be derived from the Greek Koryphi (Peaks). From 1386 to 1797 Corfu was held by Venice, thereafter it was briefly part of the Napoleonic empire; and in 1815, together with the rest of the Ionian islands, it was assigned to Britain. It was reunited with Greece in 1864. In the course of its eventful history the island was frequently devastated and plundered, so that it has preserved few relics of ancient or medieval times.