Old Perithia is a ghost village on the northern side of Corfu, 13km from Kassiopi, which was declared a monument. Located on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator, at an altitude of 450m. The first written records of Perithia date back to the 14th century. At its peak, Perithia was one of the richest areas on the island and had over 1,000 residents. Many of the houses are old mansions with family crests, featuring the famous arches. The location offered protection from pirate attacks and the malaria that was rampant on the coast at that time. It was abandoned in the 1960s as tourism grew in Corfu, and the villagers moved to the coast in search of better opportunities. Just a few elderly eventually stayed back to take care of the houses and the livestock, making Old Perithia an abandoned village. The population of the village in the 2021 census counted 6 permanent inhabitants.

To go there, you can drive from Kassiopi until you turn towards the mountains and follow the road to Loutses and Old Perithia. After passing through Loutses, you will reach Old Perithia. A walk around the village will impress you. Most buildings were built in the Venetian style. Today most of them are almost ruined. In the central square of the village, there is some life due to the taverns that work in Old Perithia. The village is surrounded by churches, showing the deep religious faith of the locals. Click here to view the location on Google Maps.
 

Nowadays, locals are restoring their old houses, the roads, and the churches. The restoration process is overseen by the central archaeological council, which has designated the village as a historic preserved monument. This means that the restoration of the houses must follow strict guidelines, such as ensuring the roads are paved with stone. Cars are not allowed inside the village.

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