: Mount Pantokrator (sometimes Pantocrator, ''Pantōkrator'', Παντοκράτωρ in Greek) is a

mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually higher ...

located in north-eastern

Corfu Corfu (, ) or Kerkyra ( el, Κέρκυρα, Kérkyra, , ; ; la, Corcyra.) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the margin of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The isl ...

. At , it is the highest mountain on the island. At the summit, the whole of Corfu can be seen, as well as

Albania Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and share ...

which lies a short distance from the island. On particularly clear days it is also possible to see

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

despite it being around away. At the top there is a

café A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-c ...

for tourists, a

telecommunications Telecommunication is the transmission of information by various types of technologies over wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems. It has its origin in the desire of humans for communication over a distance greater than that ...

station, whose largest tower stands directly over a well,http://www.dxradio-ffm.de/Pantokrator7.JPG and a

monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer whic ...

. The first monastery on the site was Angevin, built in 1347 but then destroyed sometime around 1537. The current church on the site dates from around 1689, and the current facade was built during the 19th century. It is dedicated to the transfiguration of Christ. To get to the peak, you can either drive to Mount Pantokrator up a series of windy roads from the coast, or walk to the top. If you choose to walk, one of the best places to start is in Old Perithia, Corfu's oldest village, where it takes approximately 2 hours round trip. The village of Old Perithia dates back to the 14th century and the 'Perithians' helped build the original monastery using local wood and limestone. The village of Old Perithia (and the now abandoned village of Sinies) can be seen from Pantokrator and with its 130 house and 8 churches Old Perithia is said to sit at the foot of Pantokrator, 'The Almighty.' The walk to Pantokrator from Spartilas is part of The Corfu Trail, an established long distance walking route of about 200 km from South to North Corfu. It's also possible to walk from Old Perithia to the summit of Pantokrator.

Gallery

Image:Pantokrator 2.jpg, From the summit. Image:Pantokrator 3.jpg, The communications station. Image:Pantokrator 1.jpg, From Pantokrator looking east towards

References

* * * * {{cite web, url=http://www.old-perithia.com, title=www.old-perithia.com, work=The official guide to Old Perithia, Corfu's oldest village, nestling at the foot of Mount Pantokrator, access-date=February 23, 2011

External links

View from Mount Pantokrator

Old Perithia Official site and Guide

Old Perithia, the ghost village

Corfu Landforms of Corfu (regional unit) Pantokrator