Off the west coast, opposite the village of Sinarades, a rock about 60 metres long rises from the sea, and on its top stands a small church of the Virgin Mary: the Theotokos Dikaia, or Kyra-Dikaia, as the villagers call her. The islet is known as Pelagonisi, and it is one of the guide's five-star places.
Getting there
Only by boat. The islet lies a few hundred metres off the shore, with a small pier where boats can tie up, and from there more than a hundred steps, cut into the rock, climb to the church at the top. Hire a boat on this coast or join a boat trip, and check Swimming today on the Corfu page first: the west coast takes the north-westerly wind, and a calm sea makes the landing much easier.
The church
Sinarades treats the church as its own. Services are held on two feast days a year: Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June, and the Birth of the Virgin on 8 September.
On the shore opposite
- Mavri Ammos, about 500 metres away: a small, quiet sandy beach, reached on foot with some effort.
- Saint Georgios View (Aerostato), about 900 metres: a popular viewpoint over the coast, easy by car.
- Kontogialos, about 2 km: the beach below Pelekas, with sand, tavernas and water sports.
- Agios Gordios, about 3 km: a large sandy beach with shallow water, sunbeds and tavernas.
Distances are as the crow flies.
Our take: a small pilgrimage by sea. Go on a calm day, climb the steps, and look back at the coast.