In a country famous for sparkling seas and beautiful beaches, one of the most famous in Greece’s Ionian Sea is Corfu’s Paliokastritsa Beach.

This spectacular beach curves between rocky cliffs along the turquoise waters of Palaiokastritsa Bay.

Paliokastritsa is a tongue-twisting phrase which means “old little castle.” However, no castle is anywhere in sight.

So, Paul and I wonder, where exactly is the “old little castle” which gave its name to this spectacular area?

The historic Holy Monastery of Panagia Palaiokastritsa, an active monastery since the 13^th century, perches above Palaiokastritsa Beach.

Stout walls have protected the monks and sacred treasures for hundreds of years.

But an old fortified monastery is certainly not a castle.

Then, from the monastery’s vista point, we glimpse ruined walls and a roofed chapel crowning a distant precipice.

We quickly return to the car, threading a route up and down narrow switchbacks and through rural villages.

When suddenly, rising dramatically above the olive groves, is the old little castle!

Angelókastro, the Castle of the Archangel Michael, was first built by the Byzantines and later ruled by the Venetians until the 18^th century. Historians date the earliest finds here circa 5^th to 7^th century AD.

Strategic sightlines across the Adriatic made the castle important. State-of-the-art engineering made the fortress mighty. Steep and strenuous terrain made it lonely.

Today, Angelókastro is an archaeological site – still important, still mighty, still quite lonely. And still guarding Corfu’s spectacular shore.

Until next time, Reader,

Travel on, sparkle on, meaningfully✨

Marilee + Paul
​Spotlight Sojourns® | Slow Travel
with the Hidden Gemologists®

PS: Shoulder season, such as early September, is among the best time to visit Corfu. To dream and plan your visit, click HERE for our article, “Plan Your Trip to Greece.”​

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