Nymfes

A large village with a population of 1100, stands 200 metres above sea-level and in ancient times was called Neraidohori (Place of fairies). Its situation amidst running water and lush vegetation makes it a fitting spot for legends and mysterious beliefs.It is said that the name comes from the Nymphs who used to bathe in nearby waterfalls. The village has seen continuous occupation from ancient times, owing to its inaccessibility and to the establishment of a command post there in Venetian times, which prevented attacks from barbarians and pirates. The church of Agios Konstantinos (St. Constantine) was built on ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo.
The inhabitants of the village have always been hospitable, with a mood for celebration. They love music and singing and always sing in small gatherings. There have been active and militant people, with a love for the arts and letters, while several have written a remarkable career in their field. There are hiking trails both through the narrow alleys of the village, as well as in the wider area with a large attendance of people all year round. On the public road of the village, you will come across two traditional shops to rest, drink your coffee, eat and drink.

1.How many inhabitants does the village have?

The village has about 1100 permanent residents (data from the last census in 2021), including Platonas Nymfon.

2.What jobs do the inhabitants do?

Businessmen, private and public employees, farmers, carpenters, priests, builders, bakers, electricians, plumbers, craftsmen.

3.What products are produced in the area?

Mainly earth products, such as seasonal vegetables and fruits for family use, olive oil, crops such as almonds and walnuts, potatoes, small vineyards and kumquats.

4.Is there someone who sells products?

Yes, there are, who sell seasonal fruits, seasonal horticultural products and olive oil to olive oil traders. There is also the company ‘corfu spirit SA’, which uses kumquat as a raw material to produce: fruit glaze, spoon sweet, drink, jam, etc.

5.If yes, is the point of sale visitable and how many people can it accommodate?

It is visitable for all ages and can accommodate about 15 people at the same time, after consultation, as all hygiene and cleanliness protocols are observed.

6.Are there vineyards in the area?

Nowadays there are several small vineyards, which only serve the needs of the owners, while the mixture of grapes is enhanced by the purchase of varieties mainly from Achaia and Zakynthos. Winemaking is a process that traditionally takes place during the harvest period and many families in the village make their own wine, which they mature in wooden barrels and store in traditional damijanes.

7.If yes, what varieties are grown?

Traditional local varieties such as Kakotrygis, Martzavi, Strawberry, Raisin, Muscat.

8.Is there a lake, river or waterfall?

There are small waterfalls at various points but a remarkable waterfall about 2 kilometers from the village square, where together with the rich and lush vegetation, they compose a scene of unique natural beauty. The waters of it create a wonderful route with special vegetation and end up in the area ‘Nerotrouvies’, where here, during the winter - spring, ponds full of water lilies are created.

9.Is there a point with acoustic peculiarity [e.g. reed bed, ravine, stream with nightingales]

There is, following the road that comes out of the enchanting village of Nymphes, walking among the characteristic olive groves of the Corfiot land and in the dense forest located in the north of the village, one encounters the Askitario (Hermitage), one of the oldest Christian monuments of Corfu. Here, under the sun that unites human constructions and the creations of nature, time seems to have stopped. In this enchanting space, a ‘amphitheater’ of excellent acoustics was naturally created. The cultural association of the Nymphs organizes concerts of corresponding aesthetics in this area.

10.What animals are there around the village, what season and at what points?

1. Birds

2. Reptiles

3. Otters, rabbits, foxes 

4. Frogs etc. 

The entire mountain mass of Mount Pantokrator, the relief of the countryside and the olive groves, constitute a broader ecosystem for many species of birds, reptiles and mammals. More specifically, mammals such as hedgehogs, rabbits, foxes, porcupines, squirrels, moles and hares are endemic to the area. Several species of snakes such as vipers, lizards, tiflitis, saita, tree frogs, sapites, while one can also find many reptiles such as the large green lizard, frogs, zambes, turtles. The birds that are endemic to the area are partridges, woodcocks, hawks, tits, sparrows and crows.

11.What does the vegetation of the area include, what season and at what points?

1. Flowers 

2. Edible [cabbage, mushrooms, tea, chamomile, oregano, caper, figs etc] 

3. Trees and shrubs 

The area is characterized by lush vegetation with the most characteristic being the existence of perennial olive trees, while there are coniferous trees, such as cypresses and oaks, as well as koumaries, batomouries, laurel, myrtle, oregano, thyme, reiki, sage, asphodels. Also, flower beds spread everywhere in the spring, from daisies, chamomile, anemones, forget-me-nots, etc.

12.How many churches are there and which ones?

There are 13 churches in the village with special reference to the Crucified. It is one of the two Byzantine cruciform temples on the entire island of Corfu!!! It was built in 1731 by the monk Anthimos Politis when he returned from captivity, as he had been abducted by Algerian pirates on the beach of Peroulades (northwestern beaches of Corfu). Before the temple was erected, according to tradition, at the exact same point, there was an iconostasis and it was one of the four “gates” of the village… Ritualistically delimited in order to prevent the spread of disease that plagued the area at that time!! Also the monastic complex of Pantokrator, better known as Askitario (Hermitage).

13.Is there a festival, procession or other event and when?

On May 21, a traditional festival is held in honor of Saint Constantine, the largest church in the village. On Easter Monday, a procession is held from the church of Saint Constantine to the Hermitage of Nymphes, accompanied by a choir and philharmonic orchestra. On the last Sunday of Carnival, the ‘Nymphotic Carnival’ is organized. At the end of March, the Nymfes waterfall trail takes place, with the participation of athletes from all over Greece. Also, the Cultural Association of Nymphes organizes concerts in the summer months, book presentations, music nights and theatrical performances throughout the year.

14.Where does the water in the area come from?

The village’s water supply comes from the aqueduct, which draws water from natural springs.

15.Are there public sources or taps with drinking water?

There are the taps in the village square, from which the residents and visitors collect water, clean and cool and also in the area of Platonas there is the source ‘Pitsaki’.

16.Is there a point of historical interest?

The Hermitage, one of the oldest Christian monuments in Corfu. Here, under the sun that unites human constructions and the creations of nature, time seems to have stopped. Descending a few natural “steps” from the rock, first you are greeted by the remains of the stone cells of the monks, while a little lower - due to the configuration of the ground - stands the temple of Pantokrator Savior Christ. According to legend, in this place in the 5th century, an Epirote monk named Artemios Paisios practiced asceticism, carving his cell into the rock. The first historical reference to the monastery, however, dates back to a document of 1371, during the period of the rule of the Andegavians in Corfu. But the real date of the foundation of the monastery, which is clearly earlier than the aforementioned document, is lost in the depths of history and remains unknown to this day. From this document, however, we learn that the monastery had significant property, which included “vineyards, fields and olive trees, fruitful and barren, wood and animals”. A silent witness to this past glory of the monastery is the remains of a huge animal-powered oil mill in the bowels of the massive and imposing stone building next to the monastery’s temple, in which from 1932 to 1936 the Agricultural School of Corfu operated. Also the temple of the Crucified, Byzantine Cruciform temple, built in 1731.

17.Is there a bridge, threshing floor, olive press or other point of interest?

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18.Did someone famous live or pass through here?

Panagiotis Potagos, doctor - physiologist - traveler, who after traveling around the world offering his services for free, chose Corfu and specifically the Nymphes to live the last years of his life.

19.Is there anyone from the village who became famous elsewhere?

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20.Do you remember a story from the old days that your grandparents told you?

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21.Is there a special custom?

The dance of the priests, which is danced inside the church with the participation of only the men of the village, on Cheese Sunday. Usually on Tsiknopempti the ‘gossip’ is presented, which are written with a mocking disposition, they criticize what has happened in the previous year, in political and social life.

22.What food do you usually eat?

Traditional Corfiot dishes such as sofrito, pastitsada, stakofisi, fish bianco, bourdeto, tsigarili, savoro, pastanaka, nerantzosalata.

23.Is there a local peculiarity in your cooking [e.g. nerantzosalata]?

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24.Is there a cultural, musical, dance, theater or other association?

There is the Cultural Association of Nymphes, founded in 1980 with a significant contribution to the cultural events of our village and the wider area. The association has three departments, dance, choir and theater group. These departments are divided according to age. There is also the Athletic Club ‘Achilles of Nymphes’ with a football team, with a significant presence in amateur football in Corfu and a football academy, where children are trained in the sport for free.

25.If yes, what actions does it have and when do they take place?

Based on the statute of the Association, it can undertake actions that promote local identity and the special characteristics of the village, with an emphasis on elements of tradition and the history of the village. Some of these are: Concerts with well-known and beloved artists, choir and dance festivals, with the Athletic Club football festivals and tournaments of ESYN Corfu, theatrical performances, Reading Club, book presentations and poetry collections.

26.What would you like the foreigner to know about you?

The villagers have always been hospitable, with a disposition for celebration. They love music and song and always sing in small gatherings. They were active and combative people, with a love for the arts and letters, while many had a remarkable professional career in their science. There are hiking trails both through the narrow alleys and alleys of the village, as well as in the wider area with a large influx of people all year round. On the public road of the village one will meet two traditional shops to rest, to drink his coffee, to eat and to drink.