Loutses

Loutses is situated to the north of the island, on the eastern side of Mount Pantokrator, some 300
metres above sea level. It commands spectacular views of Mount Pantokrator which dominates
the area. From the ‘hamlets’ of Anapafteria, Karloukia and Zervou there are magnificent views
across the Straits of Corfu towards Albania and mainland Greece in the East; The Ionian sea to
the North and Corfu town and the Corfiot coastline leading to it to the South. Loutses was once a
major village and has had at least two different police stations. (Three if you listen to some!) It was
a predominantly agricultural area with olive farming at the fore. If one talks to older residents it
becomes clear that there were also vast tracts of grapevines covering that part of the mountainous
countryside that was not planted with olives. Many younger family members have moved to the
cities, returning only for major holidays. In summer, the population swells with families returning
from Athens and elsewhere on the mainland as well as the foreignors who have holiday homes in
the locale. It is so different to winter when the major activity still revolves around the olive harvest.
It still sports a taverna and kafeneion. The kafeneion is well worth a visit just to meet the owner,
Philipos, a true character and tremendous source of information about the area. The church of
Agios Athanasios is active and stands overlooking the village. The ‘square’ outside the church is
home to the annual Panigiri which is held on the last Sunday of July every year. It is probably one of
the largest on the island and is very well supported. One local attraction is Loutses caves. To reach
it, drive through the village until the road signposted ‘Anapafteria’ on the left. Take this road and
following for a little under a kilometre where there is a turning to the right. Take this turning and
follow it. Although it becomes nothing more than a track, it is negotiable by any motor vehicle. The
road climbs up and comes to a dead end. From there the cave is a short descent down a footpath. All this information was kindly supplied from the books written by Steve Ford and the money raised from sales of these goes to Corfu Charities. Please use the link below to download your own copy and find more information on all the villages listed and more from Steve