The Church of the Panagia Kassopitra is a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Kassiopi. The church, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Panagia), stands on the site where the Temple of Zeus Kassios was located until the 5th century.
The original temple was a significant site of pagan worship, which gave the village its name Kassiopi. It is said that the site was a place where miracles occurred, which is why the church became an important pilgrimage site. Panagia Kassopitra was considered the patron saint of sailors, whom they prayed to as they passed by.
In folklore, the biggest miracle that took place in the church was the story from 1530 of a man named Stephanos. After being wrongly accused of theft, he was blinded by having his eyes removed. After falling asleep at the church and dreaming of the Virgin Mary, he miraculously woke up with a new pair of eyes.
In 1537, the church was destroyed and looted during a Turkish siege, but the important icon of the Virgin Mary was miraculously saved. It is said that when one of the Turkish invaders tried to touch it, he instantly became blind, which scared the others, who decided to leave the icon behind.
In 1580, under Venetian rule, the church was rebuilt in the shape of a Roman Catholic church, which has been preserved to this day. On the inside, Byzantine frescoes from the 11th and 16th centuries can be observed.
The Church of the Panagia Kassopitra is still considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Corfu. On August 15th of every year, the church celebrates and a festival with food and other traditions takes place at the Kassiopi Harbor.
