Well mouth in Kremasti Square

Kremasti Square is located in the heart of Kampielo, one of the oldest quarters of the Old Town of Corfu. The layout of the square is reminiscent of the well-known “campo veneziano”, an element that characterizes Venetian architecture. Generally speaking, Campiello district is structured in a really interesting way, thus reminding the Venetian campielli (small squares). The square is named after the church of Virgin Mary Kecharitomeni of Kremasti which rises to a higher level on the square’s north side. An elaborate stone cistern stands in the center of the square. This cistern dates back to 1699 during Venetian rule and was a donation "for public welfare" made by the Corfiot nobleman Antonios Kokkinis. The elaborate mouth of the cistern bears embossed masks and coats of arms, floral decoration and inscriptions indicating its date of construction. The cistern served, among others, the water supply needs of the people residing in the district. It is worth mentioning that public cisterns, as well as private wells, served the needs for water supply throughout the year. During summer months and due to high temperatures and water scarcity, residents transported water from Kardaki source to the hill of Ascension in Kanoni by boat or a warship on a regular basis. Kremasti is considered to be an area of particular beauty, and of monumental and historical value. References/Reference list - Αγοροπούλου – Μπιρμπίλη Α., Η αρχιτεκτονική της πόλεως της Κέρκυρας κατά την περίοδο της ενετοκρατίας, Αθήνα, 1976. - Πόλη της Κέρκυρας, Περιηγητικός Οδηγός, Ιστορία – Πολιτισμός – Αρχιτεκτονική – Χρήσιμες πληροφορίες, Πρόγραμμα «Πολυπολιτιστικού Τουρισμού, Αναπτυξιακή Επιχείρηση Δήμου Κερκυραίων (ΑΝΕΔΚ), Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή, Γενική Διεύθυνση XVI, «Πολιτισμός» ΕΤΠΑ, Άρθρο 10. - Παλιά Πόλη Κέρκυρας, Σχέδιο Διαχείρισης, Κεφάλαιο 5, Παράρτημα, http://library.tee.gr/digital/ker/ker_m273/ker_m273_kef5.pdf.