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Old Perithia ‘Corfu’s Oldest Village‘

Get a taste of the ‘Real Corfu’ here on the official website, with a glimpse at the island’s past. Corfu’s Oldest Village, once the perfect hideaway from pirates, ‘to see the sea but not be seen’, nestles in the mountains beneath Mount Pantokrator at 908m the highest point on the island).

Nowadays, it’s just 15 minutes drive from the sea. Practically abandoned in the 1960s, but since 2010 the village has risen again from c. 15% restored or in process, to over 35% + today.

History – Nature – Wildlife – Walks – Wildflowers – Venetian Architecture – Honey – Local Shop and 5 tavernas.

_{‘A Designated Area of Natural Beauty under Heritage Protection’}

A Potted History | Old Perithia 1357 to 2022

This historic ‘Heritage Protected’ village of Paleá (Old) Períthia is situated in the north-east corner of the island, just beneath the highest mountain, Mount Pantokrator. It is the oldest permanently inhabited settlement in Corfu, with records dating back to the 14th century. Once the wealthiest village on the island, by the mid 17th century there were 130 houses of Venetian origin, built entirely by hand surrounded by 8 churches. Originally the village acted as a hideaway from pirate attacks on the island during summer months, ‘to see the sea but not be seen‘. Then in the 1960s with the onset of tourism the inhabitants drifted back down to the coast. From 2010 until today, as the village begun its journey back to life, it continues to be loved by locals & visitors alike. As night falls, a gentle peace descends over the village, and there beneath the unpolluted night sky nestled in the palm of the island’s highest mountain, is silence. Only occasionally interrupted by the lullaby of natures song.