On the Kanoni peninsula, south of the city, you can see the small Monastery of Vlacherna, which is connected to the mainland by a footbridge. In 1568 it was mentioned for the first time, while in 1799 it officially belonged to the Halikiopoulos-Mantzarou family. In 1822, it was noted in a book by the German writer Ferdinandos Grigorovios. Until 1980 it functioned as a nunnery. The name Vlacheraina or Vlacherna comes from Constantinople where a large monastery was located. The church is dedicated to Panagia Vlaheraina (or of Vlacherna) and dates back to the 17th century. It is a small white church with a tiled roof and a two-story bell tower with a triple spire. At the base of the bell tower there is an arch through which one enters the courtyard of the Monastery and then the temple. Inside, the church has a wood-carved iconostasis next to which is the pilgrimage icon of the "Lady of Blacherna". The worship of Panagia Vlaheraina is particularly well known in Corfu, which is evidenced by the existence of many churches dedicated to Panagia. The Monastery celebrates on July 2.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis