Episkopiana

Episkopiana belongs to the district of Melitieon of the Municipality of South Corfu. They have a population of about 250 residents and an altitude of 144m.
Episkopiana is the birthplace of the first Governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias. The estate, together with the mansion, according to the topographic map of the Episkopiana settlement of 1798, is still owned by the Kapodistrias family. Episkopiana is also called “Psychopiana” due to the fact the Governor called the villagers Psychopianites, meaning "people of my soul".
There are two versions for the name of the Episkopiana. The first version due to the natural defensive strategic position of the village. The second is based on the placement here of the visitor the count, meaning the commander.
In documents of the Venetian Administration (file 461) the village is referred to as "pervelegiado" (privileged) because it is under the protection of Saint George of the Venetians.
Throughout the years of the Venetian occupation, the village was protected by a strong guard. For this reason, the daughter of Thomas Palaiologos, Zoe - Sophia Paleologina, was hosted in the village before she left for Russia where she played a leading role in the creation of the Russian Empire.
Psychopianites also took part in the Naval Battle of Nafpaktos as scapoulos (sailors).
Important historical figures had visited Episkopiana, such as Princess Sissy, Kolokotronis, Tzavelas (1819) and Dionysios Solomos.
In 1844 one of the most important painters of the Eptanisian School of Painting, Charalambos Pahis, was born in Episkopiana.
Last but very important is that thousands of Serbian soldiers were hosted here by Ioannis Giannoulis. The Serbian government, wanting to honor this offer, made and placed in Agios Mattheos a statue of Giannoulis. However, the house of the worthy son of the Greeks, as the Serbs call him, is located in Episkopiana’s square.