EASTER TALES IN CORFU TOWN - 3 DAYS EXPERIENCE

 

Good Saturday morning procession and pot throwing: Attend the magnificent Saint Spiridon procession (the only one that takes place on Good Saturday) from a great viewpoint known to locals and immediately after, assume prime position to watch the world-famous pot (botides) smashing ritualfrom the town’s balconies that takes place late morning. The noise caused by the throwing of the pots filled with water imitates the earthquake that followed Christ’s Resurrection; while the loud bangs, the water and laurel are supposed to scare evil away. Spectators sometimes take pieces of the smashed pots home for good luck. There are many explanations for this eccentric custom. It might have Venetian roots. Corfu was under Venetian rule for nearly 4 centuries and Venetians would throw out their old belongings at new year. Perhaps Greeks moved the custom to Easter. According to another belief, the ritual dates back to Hellenic antiquity, when ancient Greeks would toss away their old planting pots and plant seeds in new ones to welcome spring. This 400-year-old tradition lasts only minutes but you will remember it for a lifetime.

 

Good Saturday evening-Resurrection celebration Another world-famous tradition is the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Thousands of people will gather at the Esplanade square waiting for the high-ranking priests to announce at midnight sharp that Christ has risen (Christos Anesti). At this point, thousands of magnificent fireworks will ignite the sky over Corfu town as local people holding flickering candles kiss each other’s cheeks before starting the slow promenade back to their homes, creating a magical “moving river” of candles along the main streets.