Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) ~ Vlacherna

Pontikonisi or as it most commonly known "Mouse Island" is located in the bay of Kanoni just south of Corfu Town, Mouse Island and Vlacherna are the most photographed places in the whole of Greece. Vlacherna is the white convent with the single cypress tree & Mouse Island is the small Island just to the south of the convent, it has been known for people to get the two mixed up. There is only one building on mouse island which is a small chapel surrounded by a thicket of trees, There was a myth so say from Homer, who mentioned that Odysseus was washed ashore on mouse island, but other places all over Corfu also claim the same. Pontikonisi got the name "Mouse Island" because of the trees in the early days they vaguely resembled the shape of mice and thus its name, not because it is or was overrun with mice. Vlacherna with its little convent of the Virgin Mary painted white with a single tall cypress tree is connected to the mainland by a small dam or breakwater. If you are visiting Corfu Town by car then a visit to Vlacherna is well worth it, you can drive down to the key side and park in the car park and stroll out to the convent. Also you will find there are many boat trips to Pontikonisi "Mouse Island" ~ Vlacherna, which is another fantastic way to see the attractions of the beautiful Island of Corfu.