Vlacherna Monastery Corfu

Vlacherna Monastery is a small white chapel on a tiny islet at the southern end of the Kanoni peninsula, just south of Corfu Town on the Ionian island of Corfu, Greece. A short concrete causeway about 100 metres long links the islet to the shore, and the convent, which dates from the 17th century and was rebuilt in the 18th, now serves as a chapel; its interior is small and contains icons and a few simple furnishings. Beyond it, framed by cypress trees, lies the wooded islet of Pontikonisi, or Mouse Island, which has a Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator and is reached by a short boat trip from the nearby jetty. The pair forms the most photographed scene on Corfu, seen best from the viewpoint terraces on the Kanoni hillside above, from the causeway itself and from the cafe terraces along the shore. Aircraft landing at the nearby Corfu airport pass low over the lagoon, which adds a distinctive element to photographs. A visit takes about 30 to 60 minutes, or up to two hours if combined with the boat to Pontikonisi and a coffee at the viewpoint. Early morning has the calmest water and soft light, while sunset gives warm colour behind the chapel. Midday brings tour buses and cruise passengers, and the causeway can be crowded and narrow, so arriving early or at the end of the day helps. Dress should be modest if entering the chapel, with covered shoulders and knees. There is no entrance fee, though donations are welcome, and a small shop and cafes operate nearby. Regular buses and taxis run from Corfu Town.