The island of Corfu is full of fascinating historical places that make it the ideal destination for those who love to discover the history of ancient Greece and its breathtaking views. An example of all this is the Angelokastro fortress, also known as the Angel Castle, nestled between green fjords and steep cliffs surrounded by cobalt blue sea.It is one of the most important Byzantine castles in Greece, located north-west of Corfu, on top of a cliff overlooking the sea, 305 meters above sea level and a short distance from the bay of Paleokastritsas.
It was built at the behest of the despot Michael II Comnenus between 1230 and 1267 who often added that of Angelos to his surname, hence the name of the castle of the Angel. But the origin of the name is not entirely clear, it could in fact also derive from the presence of the nearby church dedicated to the Archangel Michael.Built for defensive purposes, the fortress had to withstand numerous battles over the centuries to reach today. It appears for the first time in an official document in 1272 which attests to its conquest by the Angevins. But the discovery of two early Christian marble slabs dating from the fifth to seventh centuries shows that the area was already inhabited in the Byzantine era. The site was probably fortified already by Justinian during the Gothic wars (527-565).In 1403 a violent attack by Genoese pirates was repelled from the Angelokastro fortress and played a decisive role during the Turkish siege of 1571. In times of peace it was also a center of trade and development of the island.
It is an imposing building perfectly preserved and able to attract many visitors from all over the world every year, eager to know the fascinating history of the beautiful island of Corfu.The main entrance of the building is on the northern side, protected by a circular tower still visible, while it is inaccessible on the other three sides where the rocky walls plunge into the sea, creating a spectacular scenery, which will leave you speechless. Another small door opened along the southern side of the fortress. There are also three underground cisterns which supplied water during the sieges. The battlement of the walls instead survives only on the northern side.The acropolis occupies the highest area and on the southern side has a church dedicated to the Archangel Michael dating back to 1784, located on the site of a pre-existing paleochristian basilica with three naves.On the western side there is a cemetery with tombs carved into the rock which present human figures similar to slabs of sarcophagi. On the eastern side there is instead a very characteristic small chapel, carved out of the rock and dedicated to San Ciriaca, where inside you will find splendid paintings dating back to the eighteenth century.
The Angelokastro site can be reached by car or scooter, pаssаndo from the village of Krini, or from Paleokastritsas. The road is both in both cases and demanding, but by following the signs it will not be difficult to reach the fortress and on the way you can admire the beautiful landscape and unspoiled nature that surrounds you. Once you arrive at the piссоlο pаrсhеggiо, where there is also a coffee shop, you will have to continue the ascent by foot through a sеntiеrо сοn mоlti grаdini. It seems more demanding than it actually is and once you get to the top you will be rewarded by one of the most sensational views of the island of Corfu.Take some time to admire the surrounding landscape, in all tranquility, to rediscover the magic of an ancient place, where life flowed at a slower pace marked by the sun and the seasons.
3 еurо adult ticket
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