Potamos is a large village and now a suburb of Corfu Town, four kilometres from the city. Those considering Potamos as a place to stay can distinguish its village character from a stay right in the city. Its history is reflected in numerous preserved mansions, including some dating from the 16th century, as well as in the Church of Agia Eleousa. Religious customs and the agricultural landscape also help define the area. Both aspects are therefore relevant when choosing: Potamos has a history of its own and is also part of the wider Corfu destination.
Between the River Area and Alykes
A river that runs through the Potamos area gave the place its name. Potamos also consists mainly of agricultural land and reaches the sea at Alykes. The river explains the origin of the name, while agricultural use shapes the area as a whole and Alykes marks its direct connection to the sea. Potamos thus includes both a predominantly agricultural area and a part that reaches the sea at Alykes.
Mansions and the History of Agia Eleousa
Numerous mansions have been preserved in Potamos, including some dating from the 16th century. The Church of Agia Eleousa stands on the hill: it was built in 1562, completely destroyed in 1943 and then rebuilt from the ground up. These two subjects show different aspects of the area’s architectural history: preserved historic mansions and a church building whose history has also been shaped by destruction and reconstruction.
Religious Customs and Their Dates
Recurring religious customs include the procession of Panagia Dimosiana. It returns to Potamos in the afternoon and passes through the village. Another annual occasion is the commemoration of the destruction of the bell tower of Agia Eleousa. On 13 September, the church bells in Potamos toll at 8 a.m. in mourning for the destruction of the bell tower by a German aircraft in 1943. A round stone in the churchyard marks the site of the former bell tower. The procession indicates a time of day, while the bell tower commemoration has a specific annual date and time. If you are planning your stay around one of these religious occasions, check the dates for the relevant year in advance.
Corfu in the Wider Context
Within the wider destination of Corfu, the Old Town provides an urban historical setting. Its historic urban fabric is almost entirely preserved; the buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Old Town of Corfu and its two fortresses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This offers a comparison with Potamos’ village architecture: here, the mansions and Agia Eleousa; there, the largely preserved urban structure and the fortresses.
The Old Town’s museums also offer their own cultural highlights. The Museum of Asian Art in Corfu Old Town has more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu was built primarily to exhibit the Gorgon Medusa pediment from the great Temple of Artemis. The pediment dates from 585 BC and was excavated in 1911 near the Monastery of Aghioi Theodoroi.
Discover more destinations: Ypsos, Paramonas, PĂ©lekas, Agnitsini, Afra, RĂłda, Acharavi, Rantatika
For the wider travel overview: Corfu.
