Kanoni: Uncertainty surrounding path to Vlachérna – Why repairs are taking so long
Photo: Enimerosi
CORFU. Access to Vlachérna shut over Easter due to subsidence – Urgent efforts by the owner for a safe, long-term solution.
One of Corfu’s most iconic spots, the path connecting Kanoni with the Monastery of Vlachérna, remains inaccessible to the thousands of visitors, pupils, and tourists who flock daily to admire Mouse Island. Heavy rainfall in December 2025 once again caused serious damage, making passage dangerous.
The history of the damage and neglect
The problem is not new. As the tenant of the Kanoni café, Kostas Triantafyllos, told Enimerosi, the path had also suffered subsidence in 2021, at which time he personally covered the cost of repairs. However, the recent severe weather has highlighted the complexity of the issue.
Beyond the path itself, Mr. Triantafyllos raises concerns about the overall condition of the area around the urban bus stop:
- Lack of lighting: The area remains dark at night.
- Cleanliness: There are no waste bins, forcing private individuals to clean the space themselves.
- Neglect: Despite letters sent to the Central Corfu Municipality of, there has been no response.
The owner’s position: 'No' to makeshift solutions
For his part, the owner of the land, Stamatis Moraitis, made it clear that the path is not public, but private property with a “right of way” to the church. He acknowledges his responsibility for its maintenance, but stresses that a makeshift repair would be reckless due to the risk of injury.
Work has already begun in collaboration with a geologist, an expert assessor, and an engineer to find a definitive and safe solution.
The older structures were not designed for the enormous load of the thousands of visitors the area now receives, unlike in past decades.
The project is extremely complex and, as things stand, it will not be ready by Easter, as safety is the top priority.
“We cannot risk any accident. The restoration must be complete and structurally sound, given that hundreds of people pass through every day during the summer,” Mr. Moraitis said.
Corfu risks entering the tourist season with its most photographed spot marred. While private initiative is moving forward with the structural restoration of the path, the absence of the municipality in maintaining the surrounding area (lighting, waste management) remains the main complaint of local business owners.
ELENI KORONAKI
