Saint Spyridon Church, Orthodox church in Corfu, Greece

Saint Spyridon Church is a single-nave basilica in the Campiello district of Corfu's old town, built in 1589. Its flat, light-ocher facade has three arched windows with dark iron grilles above a columned entrance with a triangular pediment, reached by wide stone steps. The bell tower, added in 1620, is the highest in the Ionian Islands.

The church was built at the end of the 16th century as a foundation of a local family and was later enriched with sacred relics brought from elsewhere. These religious remains made it an important place of pilgrimage for believers throughout the region.

The church is named after Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu. His relics rest in a double sarcophagus to the right of the iconostasis, the smaller one covered in red velvet with a removable bottom so his slippers can be changed. Votive metal figures of ships, cars and body parts hang above the shrine, left by pilgrims who credit the saint with help.

Visitors should observe a dress code and be respectful when entering the interior space. The best time to explore is outside of services when you can move freely and observe the details.

The largest lamp in the church was given by the Venetian High Admiral Andrea Pisani and other Venetian commanders in 1717, after the saint was credited with protecting their two fleets. Its Latin inscription names Pisani as commander-in-chief of both fleets. A second gilded silver lamp, offered by the Venetian Senate in 1716, hangs near the women's quarters.