Corfu, with its rich history and diverse cultural heritage, is home to several settlements that, although abandoned, keep alive the memory of bygone eras. Among these, the most notable are Old Perithia, the Old Sinies, and Zygono, each possessing its own unique history and architectural identity.
Old Perithia, built in the 14th century on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator, is considered perhaps the oldest village on Corfu. It is even well known to visitors as the famous ghost village, a destination many choose to explore and walk through. Its location was strategically chosen to provide protection from pirate raids and diseases that plagued the coastal areas. The village consists of approximately 130 stone houses built in accordance with Venetian architectural standards, preserving its authentic structural character to this day. At the entrance of the village, the pink bell tower of the Church of Saint James welcomes visitors, while the narrow streets lined with stone houses and preserved family crests offer a journey back in time. Although abandoned in the 1960s, Old Perithia has experienced a recent revival, attracting visitors who seek authenticity and historical atmosphere. This renaissance has sparked interest in restoring some of the village’s buildings and promoting its rich cultural legacy.
The Old Sinies, a settlement dating back to the 17th century, lie at the foothills of Mount Pantokrator, about 40 kilometers from Corfu town. The village was abandoned in the 1960s when its residents moved to the coastal area of Nissaki in search of better living conditions. Today, the Old Sinies offer a unique experience for explorers: their ruined mansions and churches still preserve important frescoes and artistic details. Nature has embraced the dilapidated buildings, creating a setting that seems taken straight out of a historical film. The village also offers a unique panoramic view over much of the central part of the island, providing a breathtaking backdrop that connects visitors with both nature and history.
On the southern side of Corfu, there is yet another abandoned village with a distinctive and relatively unknown story. Zygono, known to locals as Zgonos, is a ruined settlement just a few kilometers from the village of Agios Matthaios. After its abandonment, the inhabitants moved to the mountains for better protection, founding Agios Matthaios, a large mountain village built amphitheatrically on the lush slopes of a hill about 25 kilometers from Corfu town. It is believed that Zgonos was deserted following a raid by the infamous Hayreddin Barbarossa, the feared Ottoman admiral who terrorized the coasts of Corfu for many years. This history adds a layer of intrigue and mystique to the ruins of Zgonos, making it a place of interest for those drawn to tales of conflict and survival.
The abandoned villages of Corfu, like Old Perithia and the Old Sinies, serve as living monuments to the island’s history and cultural heritage. Their revival and the preservation of their authentic atmosphere offer unique experiences to those who seek to connect with the past and traditional architecture. Meanwhile, Zygono remains a vivid example of Corfiot tradition, maintaining its historical significance and providing visitors with an authentic glimpse into the island’s turbulent past.
Exploring these villages presents a rare opportunity to delve into Corfu’s rich history and cultural diversity, uncovering the secrets hidden in their stone alleys and ruined mansions. These settlements tell stories of resilience, adaptation, and the passage of time. They reflect how communities once thrived in harmony with the island’s challenging landscape and historical circumstances, adapting to external threats such as pirate attacks and epidemics.
Visiting Old Perithia, with its strategic location and preserved Venetian architecture, is like stepping into a medieval world, where the echoes of past lives linger in every corner. Walking through the Old Sinies, one can sense the gradual reclaiming of human structures by nature, creating a haunting but beautiful harmony between decay and life. The ruins of Zygono tell of a past shaped by conflict and migration, symbolizing the resilience of Corfiot people who sought safety and new beginnings in the mountains.
