At the observatory: Matthaios - Pantokrator     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: 1 hour and 50 minutes Route’s length: 6.200 m Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it     The route The start, and therefore the end of the route, is indicative since there are other paths and roads that connect the route to the monastery with the settlement. However, this particular route is suggested because the settlement has limited parking space which is getting worse during the summer months and therefore walkers who arrive at Matthaios with their own vehicle should enter the centre of the settlement. This particular route starts outside the settlement, for the reasons mentioned above, on the dirt road leading to the monastery. At the first big turn ("fourketa"), the marked path starts in a northerly direction. The trail is uphill in a lush and shady environment with a smooth ascent. After a while and to the right, a more difficult and steeper trail begins and ends at the same point but higher. The choice is up to the walker. The two trails are marked with red and blue signs. After the "junction" of the two paths to the east there is an excellent viewpoint towards the Ionian Sea and the Monastery is quite close from this point. After visiting the Monastery of Pantokrator (if the site is open) we make a western detour of the complex along the wall and we come across two wonderful viewpoints: one looking west and the Ionian Sea and shortly afterwards and the other one, looking east and overlooking the settlement, northern Corfu and the coasts of Epirus and Albania. The trail continues downhill in a shady, overgrown environment and in some places it becomes steep and requires increased attention. At this part of the route there is a junction where another path leads to Prasoudi beach. After about 600 meters of descent we meet the dirt road (leading to the monastery) and continue downhill to the starting point of the route. Alternatively, about fifty meters after we met the dirt road, a steep path starts on our right, leading us a little lower towards the settlement (not suggested). After the end of the path it is worth a visit to the Byzantine castle and the Paleolithic cave at Gardiki   On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, 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, while public health structures exist (from north to south): Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, Acharavi Regiona Medical Centre, Agios Athanasios Health Centre, Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, Lefkimi Health Centre.   Agios Matthaios In the fertile plain near the castle of Gardiki, there used to be the village of Zygonos, which was destroyed by Hayreddin Barbarossa. Then the crops were gutted, the population of the countryside was wiped out and about 20,000 Corfiots were sold as slaves. Agios Matthaios was built in the 16th century after this invasion. It is a traditional settlement located about 25 km from Corfu town and has 1,088 inhabitants (2011 census). The settlement is built amphitheatrically and the view of the green countryside is fantastic. Here you will also see the cave that, according to the island's inhabitants, is connected to the sea, the Hole of Pelau. Its homonymous beach is awarded with the blue flag and is very popular. The deserted beach of Halikounas is also located near the village. The area is also ideal for excursions, such as a visit to the octagonal castle of Gardiki, which dates back to the era of the Epirus Despotate (13th century) and in which or to the monastery of Christ Pantokrator, there are remains of ancient temples. Monastery of Pantokrator Near the settlement of Agios Matthaios, in the area of Mesi, is the Monastery of Christ Pantokrator. The ruined monastery, built on the slope of Mount Agios Matthaios, probably dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. In the area there are several abandoned buildings and the church of Pantokrator, as well. The church is of royal type, with arched doors and windows, and a sloping roof. It is celebrated on 6th August. The Castle of Gardiki It is located near the village of Agios Matthaios, 23 km from Corfu Town It is a 13th century Byzantine castle and the only medieval fortress that survives in the southern part of the island. It is most likely to have been built during the period of the Despotate of Epirus by the ruler of the Despotate Michael I Angelos Komninos. Its purpose was to protect the border from pirates, but also from the brief raids of the Italian states. Some historians date it to the 11th century, after the fortification of the western border during the Byzantine Empire. It has an octagonal shape with eight rectangular towers in a radial arrangement, the most important of which is the southern tower. Paleolithic cave in Gardiki The Paleolithic cave in Gardiki is located in an olive grove at an altitude of 60 meters and it is located very close to the Byzantine fortification of Gardiki and Prasoudi beach. It is a horizontal cave with two entrances and a length of about 20 meters. Near the southeastern entrance there are large rocks, indicating cave's larger size in the past. It is 13 meters high and has a rocky roof that has succumbed to gradual erosion and massive rainfall, causing water to drip in some places. It was a base for hunters and gatherers and it is considered as one of the most important prehistoric sites in Greece. The first excavations began in 1965 by Professor Augustus Sordinas. Evidence of human presence was discovered, dating back to the Palaeolithic Age (20,000 BC). The excavations revealed flint tools, animal bones and stones with ochre residue. During the Palaeolithic period the sea level was much lower and Corfu was not an island but connected to mainland Greece. The separation from Epirus occurred during the Neolithic period, around 10,000 BC, when the sea level rose as the ice melted. Inside the cave you can see the geological situation of the past. The cave is accessible but unsuitable for people with disabilities due to the climbing needed.