Most Holy Theotokos Kyra Antivouniotissa church

The church which is dedicated to the Holy Virgin, "Our Lady of Antivouniotissa" located at 25 Arseniou St. It was a synodal church (di confraternita) and operated since the 15th century. It is one of the most important church monuments of Corfu town and the best-preserved example of an Ionian single-room, wooden-roofed basilica featuring three arches at the bema and surrounded by an “exonarthex” (outer narthex) on the north, south and west sides. The church has semicircular windows, a gynaeconite and a stone iconostasis. The “ourania” (illustrated roof) which is divided into coffers, the stenciling on the walls and the high pews are some of the particular features of the church’s interior. Until 1840, the “exonarthex” was a cemetery for prominent families of Corfu. The bodies buried there belonged to the founders and brothers of the church, trustees and important donors of the church as well as high clergymen. Their names and coats of arms are inscribed on the stone floor plates. On the eastern side of the church there is an outdoor courtyard, a bell tower and a two-storey building, formerly the priest's residence, with a covered balcony or bozo (bozzo) (external stone staircase) according to traditional Corfiot architectural style. In 1979 the church was donated by its owners to the Greek state on the condition that it should also operate as a museum. Following restoration works and after the completion of the museum’s programme, a rich and important collection of portable icons and relics, dating back to the 15th to the 20th century, is permanently exhibited in “Antivouniotissa and represents six centuries of religious artistic expression and creation in Corfu and the Ionian Islands. The icons were created by important artists such as Michael Damaskinos, Emmanuel Tzanes, Theodore Poulakis, Nikolaos Tzafouris, Stephanos Tzangarolas and Nikolaos Koutouzis. The exhibition also includes sacred relics and precious objects of minor arts, silver-working, sacred vessels, liturgical vestments and covers showcased in the sacristy (the building in the outdoor courtyard). The church-museum maintains its religious character and is open twice a year on feast days (26 December and 23 August). References: - Αγοροπούλου-Μπιρμπίλη Α., Η αρχιτεκτονική της πόλεως της Κέρκυρας κατά την περίοδο της Ενετοκρατίας, Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο, Αθήνα 1976. - Μουσείο Αντιβουνιώτισσας: http://www.antivouniotissamuseum.gr - Παπαγεωργίου Σ. Κ., Ιστορία της εκκλησίας της Κέρκυρας από της συστάσεων αυτής μέχρι του νυν, Κέρκυρα, Αδελ. Γ. Ασπιώτη, 1920, σ. 212.