In Antiniotis lagoon
In Antiniotis Lagoon: Agios Spyridonas Perithias (beach) - Monastery of Agia Ekaterini - Antiniotis Lagoon
The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.
Route’s type: mixed
Route’s duration: one hour and fifteen minutes
Route’s length: 4.600 m
Level of difficulty: easy
Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it
The route
The route starts from the church of Agios Spyridon and following the road, parallel to the homonymous beach, we head towards the lagoon (Tagio), and after passing the bridge we take the main dirt road. At the first junction we turn north towards the sea and the beautiful beach of Yaliskari. From Yialiskari the identification of the path needs some increased attention (there are blue marks on the stones).
The path, which is easily visible, needs attention because it is located in a rocky area. We continue paying attention next to the sea and with the magnificent view of the Albanian coast and the Ionian Sea. One kilometre from the beach, we meet the lighthouse and after a while the western beach of Antiniotis. We continue in the same direction from the dirt road and after visiting the western Tagio (bridge) and seeing the mouth of the lagoon, we follow the marked path, to the east, leading to the ruins of the Monastery of Agia Ekaterini.
The trail is in a shady and lush environment and it is easily identified.
After about 350 metres of walking, we come across the ruins of the monastery on our left where the hiker has to pay increased attention. In the ruins of the church, the iconostasis and the wall paintings are preserved. After the monastery we also head east where after a while we meet the main dirt road that leads us to the starting point.
As a circular route it can also be done the other way round of the proposed direction.
On the island of Corfu there are:
Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ipsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi.
Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi.
Numerous private medical offices, medical centres and pharmacies and public health structures exist (from north to south): Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, Acharavi Regional Medical Centre, Agios Athanasios Health Centre, Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, Lefkimmi Health Centre.
Antiniotis Lagoon - Kounoufadi Marsh
The Antiniotis Lagoon is an important wetland on the northeastern edge of Corfu. It is located in a Natura 2000 nature protection area, with an area of 460 acres. It consists of the Kounoufadi marsh and the main lagoon. In the past, due to the many mosquitoes in the marsh, it was a malaria vector and for that reason it was uninhabited. Besides, the name of the place indicates the enemy of youth!
Now that the danger of malaria has been overcome, we can safely enjoy wild flowers and reeds, as well as aquatic plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the Ionian Islands. The dunes are home to the sand lily, which is why in the 1930s it was described by the British naturalist Gerald Durrell as 'Lily Lake'. Sixteen different species of orchids can also be found in the Antiniotis Lagoon.
The lagoon is also famous for its large fish farm. The fish species found in the lake are mainly eels, mullets and sea basses. Scientists have observed more than 90 species of migratory birds, including herons and cormorants. The rarest species found in the area is the otter, which lives in large populations in the lagoon. In the marsh we will also find dragonflies and other winged water insects with their characteristic flying and beautiful colours.
In conclusion, it is a precious place, both for its beauty and its environmental importance.
Monastery of Agia Ekaterini
The monastery of Agia Aikaterini is located in the area of the Antiniotis lagoon. The monastery was built at the beginning of the 18th century. However, in its sanctuary there is an elaborate Byzantine arch of the 12th or 13th century. At the basis of the roof of the arch on tiles are engraved the words ΙωCΗΦ ΚΘΓΜΝ (probable meaning Iosif dean)... The bell tower can also be traced back to the Byzantine period. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1713, according to an inscription on the lintel. The preserved frescoes in its interior date back to that period.
The monastery is enclosed by a high wall. On the north side of the enclosure is the entrance, which is blocked by a large fig tree. In the precincts of the monastery there are ruins of a stone lodge, storerooms, cells and auxiliary buildings. Unfortunately, they are all in a dilapidated state, but it is an important monument that deserves to be restored.
![In Antiniotis lagoon](https://bestgis.safecontrol.gr/storage/attachments/cus_bestgis/Route/35/large /COR_1_path (8).jpg)