Paxi
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Paxi (Greek: Παξοί, Paksi) formerly known as "Paxos" and sometimes pronounced "Paxoi", is the smallest of the Ionian Islands (the Heptanese). In fact in Greek it is a plural form and it refers to a complex of islands, the largest of which are Paxi and Antipaxi (a smaller nearby island famous for its wine and sandy beaches). In Greek mythology Poseidon created the island by striking Corfu with his trident, so that he and wife Amphitrite could have some peace and quiet.
Although possibly inhabited from prehistoric times, the Phoenecians are traditionally held to have been the first settlers on Paxi. The name is believed to be derived from Pax which meant slate in their language.
The Romans ruled the island from the 2nd century BC, and during the Byzantine period and Middle ages it was constantly attacked by pirates. After various rulers and Crusaders had passed through, the island was taken by the Venetians at the end of the 14th century.
During the Napoleonic wars the Ionian Islands were taken by the French, a Russo-Turkish alliance, and finally by the British, who established the Ionian Union in 1815. In 1864, together with the rest of the Heptanese, Paxi was ceded to the Greek state.
The island is approximately eight miles in length and tipped up towards the west. The east coast is dominated by steep white, chalky cliffs that are greatly eroded at sea level. Much of the attractive landscape is still covered in olive groves. These stretch from Lakka, the harbour community in the north, through Magazia to Gaios, the capital. Fishing was supplanted by tourism as the principle industry in the mid sixties. There are ferry connections daily with Kerkyra and with the mainland at Parga. Larger ferries still stop offshore on their way down through the Ionian chain of islands.
Among recent well known semi-permanent British inhabitants were Audrey Good, former commander of the UN refugee bases in Epirus (following the Greek Civil War, actor Peter Bull (author of 'It Isn't all Greek to me') and actress Suzannah York.
Paxos is part of a European network called Cultural Village of Europe.
- Inhabitants: Paxiot s., -s pl.
Communities and settlements
- Antipaxos (nearby island)
- Dalietatika
- Gaios (seat)
- Gramatikeika
- Lakka (second biggest settlement)
- Longos (third biggest settlement)
- Magazia
- Makratika
- Ozias
- Platanos (or Fontana / Fountana)
- Porto Longos
- Velianitatika (or Veliantatika)
- Vlachopoulatika
- Zenebissatika
Getting there
The island is serviced by ferry boats from the mainland Greece port of Igoumenitsa (1.5 hours), speed-boats from Corfu (1–1.5 hours) and [high-speed ferries]from Bari and Brindisi (4 hours). There is no airport but there is a privately-owned [seaplane service] (7 minutes from Corfu town).General Information
Paxos is a quiet haven away from it all and it is an ideal place for families and people who want to enjoy quiet holidays. It is a rocky island and there is not a single place where one cannot see olive trees. Its most vibrant place is the capital Gaios, which boasts 2 discos and a dozen bars. There are another two main villages, the picturesque harbours of Logos and Lakka. High season however is short, lasting usually from 28th July to 25th August. Most visitors come from Italy and seem to occupy the island in August.Dialect
In Paxos they speak a dialect which resembles that of Corfu and has a similar prosody. It is heavily influenced by Italian. There is a [glossary of Paxiot expressions] one can refer to.Accommodation
There is no shortage of accommodation in the island and visitors will have no problems finding a place to stay (unless they visit during the peak season without having booked in advance). There are three hotels and numerous rooms and villas for rent. You can contact the owners of rooms and villas directly from the following sites http://greece.paxos-villas.com, http://www.paxos.tk and http://www.paxos-greece.com (which also provide a lot of general information as well as [links] to alternative accommodation).External links
| Municipalities of the prefecture of Corfu |
|---|
| Achiliis | Agios Georgios | Corfu | Esperioi | Feakes | Kassiopi | Korissi | Lefkimmi | Melitiois | Palaiokastritsa | Parelli | Paxoi | Thinali |
| Non municipal communes of the prefecture of Corfu |
| Erikoussa | Mathraki | Othonas |
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