Doukades

If you could visit just one of the villages of Corfu island, then you would certainly choose Doukades.
The village is around 20km north west of Corfu town on the road to Paleokastritsa.
The village is first mentioned in a notary act of 1616. The name of the village, according to some
researchers, derived from its first residents; who all had the surname Doukas. It is set out like an
amphitheatre on the hillside; with its Venetian stone houses, picturesque square and the neo-classical
style primary school. As you approach the village, park your car in the car park and set off to roam
the narrow streets, admiring the colours of the Venetian houses and the carved stone walls with their
wooden doorways.
At the entrance of the village there is a street with amazing panoramic view, which will take you to
the hill of Agia Anna 2km walk, where there is a café, or to the isolated chapel of Ai Simios which is
1km walk. The most famous building in the village is the house of Georgios Theotokis, a descendant
of the great family of politicians. Work on the mansion began in 1900, when Theotokis was prime
minister. The house was abandoned after the last war but is now being renovated to house a library
of political science, with accommodation for researchers who come to study the rich family archives.
There is the church of Yperageia Theotokos , a butcher and three tavernas in the small square. So you
are sure to eat fresh meat and if you are lucky, it may have been blessed.
Before you leave Doukades enjoy the village pastitsada, one of the best in Corfu, served at Elizabetta’s
taverna in the village square. 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