Peristerai Lighthouse

Photo: © Piotrus, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Μετάφραση Greek Version

A historic islet lighthouse off Corfu's northern coast

Perched on a small, rocky islet off northeastern Corfu, the Peristeres Lighthouse is a unique historical landmark and one of the most remarkable lighthouses in the Ionian Islands. Built by the British in 1823 during the era of the Septinsular Republic, also known as the Republic of the Seven United Islands, , it first lit its beacon in 1828 using olive oil. Unlike other Greek lighthouses, Peristeres was designed with large, permanent water storage jars, a rare feature that highlights its importance for long-term maritime operations.

 

A Tower with History

The lighthouse is a cylindrical tower, 9 meters tall, with its light positioned 32 meters above sea level. When the Ionian Islands joined Greece in 1863, it became part of the Greek lighthouse network. Over the years, the tower underwent several upgrades:

  • In 1887, it was modified to shine a steady white light with a red flash every minute.
  • During World War II, the lighthouse was inactive, but it reopened in 1945 as an automatic acetylene beacon.
  • In 1982, it was converted into a solar-powered automatic light, flashing red every 5 seconds, visible for 5 nautical miles.

Today, the lighthouse is unmanned, and while the building shows signs of wear, it remains a striking symbol of Corfu’s maritime heritage.

 

Visiting Peristeres Lighthouse

The lighthouse sits on the tiny islet of Peristeres (also known historically as Pythaia, or locally as Kapareli/Tiniozo) at the outer edge of Greek waters, marking the narrow strait between Corfu and Albania. Its white-and-yellow schist cliffs, sculpted by the waves, and sparse vegetation give the islet a rugged, dramatic appearance. The lighthouse itself is the only structure on the islet, standing as a silent witness to centuries of seafaring and navigation in the Ionian Sea.

Access is only by boat from Kassiopi, a small village on the northeastern coast of Corfu. The journey is perfect for travellers interested in historic lighthouses, remote landscapes, and hidden corners of Greece.

 

Why Visit

  • Explore a historic British-era lighthouse in the Ionian Islands.
  • Witness a remote islet with dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters.
  • Experience the ancient maritime heritage of Corfu.
  • Ideal for photography, boat tours, and off-the-beaten-path adventures.