DISCOVERING EASTER IN GREECE: TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS IN CORFU 

Visit Corfu during Easter and experience its customs and traditions up close. 

We begin with Palm Sunday, when the streets are filled with people accompanied by the philharmonic band. This is in honor of Saint Spyridon, who saved the island from a deadly epidemic. 

Holy Week 

On Holy Monday, preparations for Easter begin, with bakeries and households preparing traditional sweet breads (fogatsa & kolobina) and mandolatas. 

On Holy Tuesday, the hymn of Kassiani begins in the churches. 

At dawn on the following day, around noon, people gather at the churches to attend the Service of the Great Oil. 

On Holy Thursday, a few days before Easter, the egg dyeing starts, bands have their first rehearsals, and in the evening, the reading of the Twelve Gospels takes place. 

Twelve candles are lit, one for each Gospel, and as they are read, they are gradually extinguished, one by one. 

On Holy Friday, the streets fill with people as they gather for the procession of the Epitaphs, accompanied by the philharmonic bands. 

At 6 a.m. on Holy Saturday, the tradition of the artificial earthquake takes place, followed by the procession of the Epitaph of Saint Spyridon’s church. Later, at 11 o’clock, people gather in the main square, and the famous “Botides” are thrown from the decorated balconies. 

Meanwhile, in the old commercial center of the town, the custom of “Mastelas” takes place. Pinatadors place a barrel of water in the middle of the street, inviting passersby to throw coins for good luck, and in the end, one person must dive in to collect them. 

Finally, Easter Sunday dawns with a festive mood for everyone. 

——————————————————————————————— 

Rent the vehicle that suits your needs and explore the island, offering you the best driving experience for this Easter!