| ‘Castello St. Angelo’, today Aggelokastro is an important fortified complex of Corfu which surveyed the raids before the Venetian era. It was an acropolis and a strategic vantage point to the occupant of the castle. Angelokastro formed a defensive triangle with the castles of Gardiki and Kassiopi, which covered Corfu’s defences to the south, northwest and northeast. The castle never fell, despite frequent sieges and attempts at conquering it through the centuries, and played a decisive role in defending the island against pirate incursions and during three sieges of Corfu by the Ottomans, significantly contributing to their defeat. Up the top just in front of the tombs is the church of Archangel Michael, filled with images of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, patrons of the Castle. It is a relatively small, brick building, somewhat asymmetric to the outside, that is the impression given to the traveler. The inside creates a claustrophobic feel, even in a bright day. The icons are in,good condition some of them restored and other just copies of the originals. This castle is located on a steep (very steep) cleef 305 mt above the ground and today you will meet the ruins. The path up to the fortress is steep and an excellent hiking area. You will need good shoes and if it is hot take a bottle of water. Also if you have children they must strongly supervised. As children we used to climb up the hill during the sunset… |
