The Mill of Filaretos on Corfu
This village is being set amidst the slopes of Mt. Istoni, about 28 km away from Corfu’s town, at an elevation of 170 meters. It constitutes a local community along with the following settlements: Vatonies, Prinilas and Agios Georgios. This village dates back centuries and more specifically earlier than 1469, when there were references about it in a notarial document. Moreover, the surname Pagiatakis, much related to the village of Pagi, is found in documents dating back to the end of the 14th century. The name of the village itself indicates that it did in fact exist earlier, since Pagi was the name for administrative headquarters (deriving from Homeric language, meaning “rock-rocks” and then from the Latin one). Above the village the mountain range (or much better the hill range) of Istoni dominates, whose stunning natural beauty led the famous German geographer Joseph Partsch to write that: “Painters in the future will visit this place (Istoni) in order to get inspired for their works”.
Agios Georgios is a beach located to the northwest of the island of Corfu. This settlement dates back to the third quarter of the 20th century, as a result of the tourist development in the region. In the past, in the location of Agios Georgios there were fishing settlements, according to findings of the Roman times regarding the east part as well as it seems that it was inhabited between the 18th and the 19th century to the south. One of the preserved buildings in the area is the church of Agios Georgios (as referred to in ecclesiastical documents of the 18th century).
The area of Pagi was not producing oil but wine during the past centuries. Olive oil cultivation has developed during the last 2-3 centuries. According to Joseph Partsch, in 1917 there were 1,260 inhabitants in Pagi and Vatonies who cultivated mostly vine grapes, while the author mentions that in the area there were also numerous almond trees. The northern part of the island is the third biggest area in viticulture. It is also stated that they cultivated corn and wheat. Wheat production in Pagi was of great importance even after the Second World War, since the National Bank within the framework of the Marshall Plan installed a flour mill in Pagi which was located and operated in the same building where the first engine-powered olive press was installed. This olive mill was run by Kazianis brothers on behalf of the bank, who have been marketers in the town of Corfu until then, and later purchased it from the bank.
Within short distance from the accommodation, you can find the last mill of the area of Pagi (the Mill of Filaretos).The watermills played a vital role in the agricultural production, since they were necessary to cover the needs of flour, produced with either wheat or corn. In the area of Agyrou, the numerous ravines offered flowing water for most of the mills around the island, according to inventories of the 18th century. Watermills were mainly found in the area of Vatonies but also in the flat land of Pagi, where the last mill (the Mill of Filaretos) operated until after the Second World War. There are still nowadays the trenches that directed water to mills (mill trenches).
| A tolerant, multicultural society, the island of Corfu has followed its own unique path over centuries. The rich natural beauty, the significant cultural background and this island’s beautiful beaches, make it a destination for all seasons and for each type of holidaymakers. The town of Corfu and more specifically the well-preserved historic center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first Greek university, the Ionian Academy, the first Philharmonic and the first school of Fine Arts in Greece were founded in Corfu. | It boasts great natural beauty, with 55 species of wild orchids recorded, thousands of rare species of wildflowers as well as dozens of species of aromatic and medicinal plants, 9 NATURA protected areas (Lefkimmi Saltpans, Paxos and Antipaxos islands and other coastal areas, the coastal zone from Kanoni to Messonghi , Korission Lagoon and Lagoudia island, Diapontian Islands, i.e. Othonoi, Ereikousa, Mathraki and islet landforms, Antinioti Lagoon and Fonissa river) and a network of trails dotted around the island. |
