Paleo Peritheia Corfù
Paleo Peritheia in Corfu is the oldest village on the island. It is the best area to find excellent local honey.
A touch of real authenticity that can be breathed in Corfu is the abandoned village of Paleo Peritheia, in the north east of the island. A very interesting unscheduled if you feel like taking a break between one beach and another.
It is the oldest village of Corfù, perched on the northern slope of Mount Pantocrator. Which, with its 908 meters is the highest plateau of the whole island. The hamlet is instead located at 420 meters above sea level. This position is certainly not accidental. If in fact today the coasts of Corfu are the main attraction of the island, once upon a time they could be bearers of deadly threats. Like mosquitoes, they benefited from the wetter climate near the sea. But, above all, pirates, whose raids were not rare in ancient times.
The foundation of Paleo Peritheia dates back to the 14th century, during the Byzantine domination. Seeing it abandoned as it is today, you wouldn't think it, but it was one of the most prosperous centers on the island for several centuries. Coming to count up to 1200 inhabitants. Probably thanks to its sheltered and safe position to take refuge from attacks from the sea.
Life in the village lasted for centuries, and it has only recently been left uninhabited. In 1940 the village school was closed, while twenty years later, in 1960, it was completely abandoned. A decline due to the tourist fame of the island and its coasts. Especially after the war, life on the island began to have its fulcrum on the coasts, and many inhabitants of Paleo Peritheia moved there for work. Since 2010, however, a redevelopment work has begun in the oldest village of Corfù. One way to bring this open-air museum back to life, full of ancient Venetian-style houses. As well as guardian of eight churches erected on the sides of the village. Precisely this urban peculiarity would be the basis of its name. Peritheia, translated, means "surrounded by the gods".
The town still remains abandoned today. Most of the buildings are dilapidated. However, the redevelopment work of some spaces and structures, as well as a newfound tourist exploitation, are bringing it to new life. In fact, it will not be strange to find other tourists wandering among houses and stone remains. Or relaxing in one of the several Greek taverns that have opened to welcome them. Recovering ancient abandoned spaces to reconvert them to catering.
A final peculiarity of Paleo Peritheia concerns a local gastronomic production. In one end of the village, a little secluded from the rest, some beekeepers are still intent on raising bees and collecting honey. A tradition that has very ancient origins here, and that these farmers don't want to remain just a memory.
How to get to Paleo Peritheia
It takes about an hour and a half to reach Paleo Peritheia village from Corfu Town. The advice, to avoid uncomfortable roads, is to take the road that follows the north-eastern coast of the island. Arriving in Kassiopi you can then continue following the signs towards New Perithia first, then towards Old Perithia, in a journey of about a quarter of an hour.