Pontikonisi (‘mouse island’) is one of the most famous places in Corfu and is an island with only one Monastery on it that of ‘Pantokrator’. In order for its natural virgin environment not to be destroyed as it is considered a natural museum it is not allowed for the visitors to stay there and walk around. If you insist in visiting it, you must be aware of the fact that your stay there will not last more than few minutes and under the strict vigilance of the security. Unless you are lucky and have visited Corfu on August 6th day of the celebration of its monastery called ‘The Transfiguration of Jesus’ and you visit it on pilgrimage. This is the only day of the year that you are allowed to access inside it. The Byzantine Monastery was built during the 11th or 12th century .
it is characteristic that it was the beloved part for Queen Elisabeth (Sissy) .She was visiting it with Kaizer quite often.It is also said that Arnold Becklin was inspired by the island and painted the ‘Isle of the Dead’. However its miniature size has reserved for it a special place in the legend. In Homer’s Odyssey, we learn that Corfu, the island of Faiakes was the last station of Odysseus before his arrival in Ithaca after his adventurous journey. According to the legend, Pontikonisi was the boat of Odysseus which was turned to this green rock during a storm by the God of the sea Poseidon.
