What you will learn from this article
If you are planning to visit Corfu during Easter time here is what you need to know;
- Corfu has many traditions on Easter
- You have countless opportunities to participate in festivals or events during that time
- You will learn helpful tips for your stay on the island
- What to pack for Corfu during Easter
You know what you need to do? Travel to Corfu for Easter…!
In 2024 Easter in Corfu will be celebrated on May 5th. It is the biggest festival of the Christian church, and the celebrations are even more impressive and prayerful in Corfu. Each year thousands of people visit the island to be a part of this great feast and by taking advantage of the opportunity they discover Corfu.
The celebrations start on Great Monday and each day there are plenty of things to attend. Try to attend as many as you can and you won’t regret it. This is the only way you will feel the devotional atmosphere that prevails on the island during the Easter Corfu season.
Key Takeaways?
- 1. Visiting Corfu during Easter provides a unique cultural experience, showcasting distinct traditions like throwing og pots knows as “Botides”, which symbolizes the rebirth and renewal associated with Easter.
- 2. Easter in Corfu is marked by a week full of events, including parades, liturgies and musical performances by local philharmonic bands, creating a festive and devotional atmosphere throughout the island.
- 3. Tourists are encouraged to actively participate in the local customs and events during Easter week in corfu, enhancing their experience by engaging directly with the island’s culture and traditions.
Corfu Easter Holiday
Since you are thinking of spending Easter in Corfu, “What is Easter?” may be the first question we need to answer: «Easter is one of the principal holidays, or feasts, of Christianity. It marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion. » according to britannica.com.
Easter in Corfu is a wonderful time. Thousands of visitors and of course Corfiots come together every year to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Catholic Easter normally is not praised at the same time as the Orthodox Easter, but the Catholic church joins the Orthodox one along with their believers and they participate in the festivities.
Corfu Easter Celebrations
Corfu Easter celebrations are unique and you have plenty of things to do. Let’s take a look at some of them.
The preparations start on Good Monday when the locals go shopping and start baking the famous dishes of “foyátsa” and “mandoláto” with their aromas filling the air.
In the afternoon of Good Tuesday head to the city churches to listen to the story of Mary Magdalene while on Good Wednesday at noon attend the Holy Unction. Around 8:30 pm you can also visit the Municipal Theater to hear ecclesiastical hymns of the Passion Week sung by the Municipal Chorus.
The Service of the Passion is held on Maudy Thursday in the churches of the island. On Good Friday the funereal bell rings will start early in the morning. Today young girls decorate the Epitaphs. Their circumambulation will begin in the afternoon and it will be accompanied by choruses, bands and the Philharmonic.
Easter Sunday in Corfu is the last day of celebrations. The day starts at 6 a.m. with the artificial earthquake that is being re-enacted at the church of the Virgin Mary of the strangers and it symbolizes the earthquake that took place after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Keep also in mind that during Corfu Easter fireworks are a really common thing. In many celebrations you will notice fireworks lighting up the sky in various colors, sizes and shapes.
Corfu Easter Traditions
Easter traditions in Corfu are unique and we only have to give one advice… Heads up in Corfu: pottery flies at easter on the Greek island!
In Corfu Easter pot throwing is one of the most well know traditions that takes place in the island. On Holy Sunday around 11 o’clock all the church bells ring and that is the time when people throw their big and red clay pots filled with water from their balconies and terraces. The sound of the Corfu Easter pots smashing as deafening as it is symbolizes the earthquake that occurred after the crucifixion of Jesus.
Earlier that day at 9 o’clock the Epitaph Litany is carried out. This is the oldest procession of the Saint’s sacred relic and dates from 1553. The three philharmonics participate, and they perform the adaptation of the funeral march from the opera “Amleto”, the funeral march “Calde Lacrimae” and the adaptation of Beethoven’s funeral march “Eroica”.
Easter in Corfu Greece – Weather
Greek Easter in Corfu is mostly sunny. The average temperatures range from 19ºC – 22ºC in the morning to 11ºC – 15ºC at night, so you need to make sure to bring some warmer clothes. On Corfu at Easter, the sea temperature is about 17ºC if you care to go for a swim.
The sunset is after 8 pm which gives you more than 10 hours to enjoy Corfu on a sunny day. Nonetheless, we advise you to have around a small umbrella just in case of occasional rain.
Corfu Easter Festival
On Lazarus Saturday in the morning time a number of choirs sing the “Carols of Lazarus” in different areas in the center of Corfu Town. After 12:00 all the choir will end up in front of San Giacomo, where they all sing together. 30 minutes after 8pm the Philharmonic Society of Corfu will perform at the Municipal Theatre.
The night of Palm Sunday the Philharmonic Society of Corfu will be leading the choir of the Holy Metropolitan Church in a concert held at the Church of Saint George at the Old Fortress. At the same time the Corfu Choir will have a religious concert at the palace of Saint George and Michael.
In the same philosophy the events of Holy Monday will proceed. Two concerts will be held at 9 o’clock in the evening. The first will take place in the Minicipal Theatre by the Mantzaros Philharmonic Society. The other one is a religious concert in the Catholic Cathedral of Saints Jacob and Christopher by the Kinopiastes Philharmonic Society.
Another religious concert by “Brass Ensemble” along with the Demodocus Municipal Choir will be held on Holy Tuesday in the Church of Saint George at the Old Fortress. The next day at the same time you can enjoy the San Giacomo Municipal Choir of Corfu in the Municipal Theatre in a church music concert.
Corfu Easter Events
The biggest events of the Corfu Easter are mostly the ones that are happening on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On Good Friday are the processions of the Epitaphs which are accompanied by bands, church choirs such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Municipal Choir who chant the Epitaph hymns and of course the Philharmonic bands.
The other big event is the enactment of the earthquake after Christ’s Resurrection in the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Corfu Easter Video
Travel Corfu at Easter: Best Tips
Are you excited to visit Corfu?
Because we can’t wait to meet you and help you make this a vacation you will never forget!
That’s why we have prepared some tips that will come in handy while you’re visiting Corfu. From clothing to driving on the Phaeacians Island, you will find the best advice you can use right here!
Choose Wisely your Clothing
The temperature drops at night so make sure you have a jacket with you or any other warm piece of clothing. Consider packing a swimsuit in case you want to take a swim in the beautiful sea. That of course consists of bringing a pair of clothes to change into, a towel, some flip-flops, sunscreen and anything else you know you might need.
Have a Power Bank with You
The festivities you will witness are remarkable and you will definitely want to capture as many pictures and videos as you can. Wouldn’t it be a shame not being able to because your battery run low?
You won’t face such a problem if you have with you a charged power bank! It will solve all your problems and you won’t have to worry about being cautious with the time you use your phone.
Eat Traditional Greek Easter Corfu recipes
Greek food is an adventure you don’t want to miss. Its taste is just incomparable. Imagine that during the holidays it gets even better!
“How is this possible…?” you may ask.
Local women and men cooking over the years came up with amazing recipes to celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity and they put their best work into it. Taste as many of them as you can and you won’t regret it!
Rent a Car
Arranging a car hire during your stay in Corfu is the best decision you can make. Other than the Corfu Easter traditions you can participate in, you’ll have the chance to stroll around the island and discover picturesque places, see historical monuments and if you are a fan of the sea, why not swim in the crystal-clear waters?
Conclusion
Make the best out of your trip to Corfu and be a part of the huge celebrations happening all over the island. Rent a car so distance won’t come in your way, pack wisely so you can enjoy every hour of the day and night, try traditional dishes and learn the history of Corfu among many other things you can do.
Are you ready to experience one of the best vacations you have been to? We don’t want to exaggerate, but we are certain that you will love your stay in Corfu and we are here to make your trip even more remarkable!
