The Platytera Monastery of Corfu was founded in 1743 by the Lefkada Hieromonk Chrysantho Syropoulos. In the year 1746-1747 Metochi of the Monastery dedicated to the Virgin Evangelistria was established in the village of Europouloi in Corfu.
The Monastery was burnt down by the French in 1798. In 1801, the church was inaugurated by the first Metropolitan of Corfu, after the reconstitution of the episcopal throne, Ierotheos Tsigala or Kigala (1800-1813).
The Kapodistria family and Ioannis himself (first Governor of the Neohellenic State) developed special relations with the Monastery, which it benefited in various ways. In fact, many donations are preserved in the Monastery. There are the tombs of Antonio-Maria Kapodistrias (father of the Governor), Augustinos Kapodistrias (brother of the Governor) and the Governor himself Ioannis Kapodistrias. Also in the Monastery there are the tombs of the hero of the Greek Revolution Photou Tzavellas, Andreas Moustoxidis, other famous people of the 19th century, and most of the Metropolitans of Corfu.
In the Monastery, notable icons are still preserved (by G. Klontzas, I. Damaskinos, T. Poulakis, D. Prosalentis, N. Koutouzis, N. Kantounis, etc.). Also, creations of ecclesiastical art of great artistic value are kept.
The Monastery, from its foundation and throughout its course in time, is connected to the general local history and bears its marks on it. The Holy Monastery celebrates the 15th of August, the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou