History of Paxos

The Paxi Islands, also known as Paxoi, consist of a cluster of small islands, with the most important being Paxos and Antipaxos. They are located only 8 nautical miles from the shores of Epirus. According to Greek mythology, the god Poseidon wanted to create a romantic refuge to live his love with Amphitrite, so he struck the island of Corfu with his trident and cut off the island of Paxos. The Paxi residents found his trident and made it their emblem.

The Paxi Islands are mentioned for the first time by Homer, who states that they were inhabited by Greek-speaking people of Epirotic origin. In 1386, they were
conquered by the Venetians, who planted trees and constructed various infrastructure works. In 1797, the Democratic French took over the island from the Venetians and abandoned it in 1799. In 1800, the island came under the suzerainty of the Sultan, where it remained until 1807, when it was handed over to Napoleon’s French Empire. In 1814, Theodore Kolokotronis, as commander of the British fleet, liberated Paxos and incorporated it into the United States of the Ionian Islands under British occupation.

On May 21, 1864, the Paxi Islands, along with the rest of the Ionian Islands, were incorporated into the Greek state.

Beaches

The Paxi Islands are full of small pebble beaches, with turquoise and transparent waters. The most famous beaches include Voutoumi and Vrika in Antipaxos, and
the beaches of Mogonisi, Kaki Lagada, and Levrehio in Paxos.

Attractions

Some of the most beautiful attractions on the island are:

The Castle of Saint Nicholas on the homonymous island in the port of Gaios.
The Monastery of Panagia on the homonymous islet.
The Early Christian Church of Agia Marina in Porto Ozia.
The monument of Georgios Anemogiannis in Gaios.
The Church of Agios Spyridonas on Kaltsonisi islet. The Folklore Museum of Gaios. The Cisterns of the Holy Apostles in Gaios. The old Venetian Governor’s House on the Coastal road of Gaios. The Windmill of Lesianitis in Tranakatika. The Arch of Trypitos (Kamara).
The Lighthouse of Lakka.
The Temple of Hypapante in Grammatikeika Lakka.
The old olive oil and soap factory of Anemogiannis in Loggos.
The old windmills of Loggos. The Ortholithos on the Western coast. The Caves on the Western coast in Paxos and Mongonisi.
The Church of the Holy Apostles in Boikatika with a view of the cliff of Erimitis.
The Lighthouse of Antipaxos.
The Source of Kaloiri in Antipaxos.

How to get to Paxos

The island of Paxos has regular transportation connections from Corfu and Igoumenitsa, and during the summer months from all Ionian islands.

https://joycruises.gr/

https://www.facebook.com/ilida.hydrofoil

https://www.kamelialines.gr/

https://www.kerkyraseaways.gr/

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Useful Phone numbers

Municipality of Paxos : 2662032100 e-mail: info@paxi.gr

Health Center: 2662031466
Port Police: 2662032259
Police: 2662032222
Fire Department: 2662031245
Paxi Museum: 2662032566
Post Office: 2662032256

Pharmacies:
Gaios: Trifwnas Andreas: 2662032259
Magazia: Kaga Maria: 2662032259
Lakka: Dimitriadis Hlias: 2662032259

General Practicioner,
Sasa Pavlou: 2662032922 / 6982639252