Monastery of Vlacherna, Monastery on an islet near Kanoni, Corfu, Greece
The Monastery of Vlacherna is a protected religious building situated on a small islet connected to the mainland by a stone pier. The structure contains a church with carved religious artworks and functions as an active place of worship for local celebrations.
The monastery is first mentioned in a document concerning the wall paintings of the church of Saint Eleftherios at Perivoli, which was a dependency of the monastery. Tradition holds that the present complex was built in the 17th century, and its church dates to 1685. It operated as a convent until the 1980s, after which it continued as a church.
The monastery is dedicated to Panagia Vlachernon and celebrates its feast on 2 July. Its church is covered in wall paintings and holds a wood-carved iconostasis. The islet is linked to the shore by a 300-metre footbridge, and the neighbouring islet of Pondikonissi, reached by boat, has a 12th-century Byzantine chapel.
The islet lies 300 m from the shore opposite Kanoni, south of Corfu town, and is reached on foot over a pedestrian bridge. The courtyard entrance passes under the arch at the base of the two-storey bell tower. The site sits in line with the main runway of Corfu airport, about 5 km south of the town.
The islet lies in line with the main runway of Corfu airport, about 5 km south of Corfu town, so aircraft pass low over the water nearby. The neighbouring islet of Pondikonissi, reached by boat, holds a Byzantine chapel founded in the 12th century.
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