Paxi 309748 224220355 2008-07-07T21:27:43Z El Greco 1876487 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 224107684 by [[Special:Contributions/62.38.238.1|62.38.238.1]] ([[User talk:62.38.238.1|talk]]) doesn't belong here {{redirect|Paxos}} {{Infobox Greek Isles |name = Paxi |native_name = Παξοί |skyline = Gaios panoramic.jpg |sky_caption = The natural port of [[Gaios]], created by the islet ''Pontikonisi'' (center) resembles a [[fjord]]. Panoramic view of both entrances: Islet and monastery of ''Panagia'' to the North (left) and main settlement to the center and South (right). |map = GR Paxi.PNG |coordinates = {{coord|39|12|N|20|10|E}} |chain = Ionian Islands |isles = 7 |area = 30.121 |highest_mount = |elevation = |periph = [[Ionian Islands]] |prefect = [[Corfu Prefecture|Corfu]] |capital = [[Gaios]] |population = 2438 |pop_as_of = 2001 |postal = 490 xx |telephone = 266x0-xx |license = KY |website = [http://www.paxi.gr/english/index.html www.paxi.gr] }} '''Paxi''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Παξοί, pronounced ''Paksi'' in English ) is the name given to the smallest group of the [[Ionian Islands]] (the Heptanese). In Greek it is a plural form and it refers to a complex of islands, the largest of which are '''Paxos''' and '''[[Antipaxos]]''' (a smaller nearby island famous for its wine, which is almost impossible to purchase in shops or tavernas, and two of the finest sandy beaches in the Ionian Sea). In [[Greek mythology]] [[Poseidon]] created the island by striking [[Corfu]] with his [[trident]], so that he and wife [[Amphitrite]] could have some peace and quiet. ==History== Although possibly inhabited from prehistoric times, the [[Phoenecians]] are traditionally held to have been the first settlers on Paxos. The name is believed to be derived from Pax which meant slate in their language. The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] ruled the island from the [[2nd century BC]], and during the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] period and [[Middle Ages]] it was constantly attacked by pirates. After various rulers and [[Crusade]]rs had passed through, the island was taken by the [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]] at the end of the [[14th century]]. During the [[Napoleonic wars]] the [[Ionian Islands]] were taken by the [[France|French]], a Russo-Turkish alliance, and finally by the [[United Kingdom|British]], who established the [[Ionian Union]] in 1815. In 1864, together with the rest of the [[Heptanese]], Paxos was ceded to the [[Greece|Greek state]]. ==Geography== The island is approximately eight miles in length and tipped up towards the west. The west coast is dominated by steep white, chalky cliffs that are greatly eroded at sea level, and harbour many 'blue caves' which can be explored on launches departing from [[Gaios]]. Much of the attractive landscape is still covered in olive groves. These stretch from [[Lakka]], the harbour community in the north, through [[Magazia]] to [[Gaios]], the capital. Olive oil making, soap manufacture and fishing were supplanted by tourism as the main industry in the mid sixties, resulting in a construction boom which has greatly altered the coastline around Gaios, the 'capital' of the Paxiot ''demos'' (community). There are ferry and jetfoil connections daily with Kerkyra (Corfu) and with the mainland at Parga, as well as a regular seaplane service to [[Corfu (city)|Corfu Town]] in the tourist season. Excursions to Albania (the resort of Saranda and the magnificent Greco-Roman settlement of Butrint) can also be arranged with the local jetfoil operators. ==Foreign Residents== [[Image:Paxos IMG 1378.jpg|thumb|250px|Gaios: North entrance of the port.]] Among recent well known semi-permanent British inhabitants were [[Audrey Good]], former commander of the UN refugee bases in [[Epirus (region)|Epirus]] following the [[Greek Civil War]], [[Albert Finney]], the late actor [[Peter Bull]] (author of 'It isn't all Greek to me') and actress [[Suzannah York]], who can often be spotted in one of the [[Loggos]] tavernas during the summer. Some members of the [[Agnelli family]] (of [[FIAT]] fame) have recently built a palatial holiday home - complete with ''faux'' medieval tower - on a small island ([[Kaltonisi]]) situated near the southernmost tip ('the heel') of Paxos, close to the popular beach of [[Mongonissi]]. The presence of such residents, and the relentless development of the coastal area (mostly by [[Italy|Italian]] nationals) explains why Paxos has now become one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in Greece. One of Loggos's landmarks, the so-called 'Manor House' was put on sale for 1.6M€ in 2006. Paxos is part of a European network called [[Cultural Village of Europe]]. It hosts a yearly classical music festival (founded by John Gough, and now organised by the [[Guildhall]]) which has built a solid reputation over the years, and now attracts some of [[Europe]]'s finest young performers. This festival usually takes place in late August/early September. The 2008 festival takes place between August 26 and September 4. Concerts are held in the now-disused school of [[Longos, Paxoi]]. ==Communities and settlements== [[Image:Paxos IMG 1377.jpg|thumb|250px|Gaios: South part of the port.]] *[[Antipaxos]] (nearby island) *[[Apergatika]] *[[Argyratika]] *[[Aronatika]] *[[Dalietatika]] *[[Gaios]] (seat) *[[Gramatikeika]] *[[Lakka, Greece|Lakka]] (second biggest settlement) *[[Longos (Paxoi), Greece|Longos]] (third biggest settlement) *[[Magazia]] *[[Makratika]] *[[Ozias, Greece|Ozias]] *[[Platanos (Paxoi), Greece|Platanos]] (or Fontana / Fountana) *[[Porto Longos]] *[[Velianitatika]] (or Veliantatika) *[[Vlachopoulatika]] *[[Zenebissatika]] ==Transportation== The island is serviced by hydrofoils and ferry boats from the mainland [[Greece]] port of [[Igoumenitsa]] (1.5 hours), hydrofoil boats from [[Corfu]] (1–1.5 hours) and from [[Bari]] and [[Brindisi]] (4 hours). There is no airport but there is a privately owned seaplane service (7 minutes from [[Corfu]] town). ==Dialect== In Paxos they speak a dialect which resembles that of Corfu and has a similar prosody. It is heavily influenced by Italian. There is a [http://www.translatum.gr/etexts/bogdanos/paxos-glossary.htm glossary of Paxiot expressions] one can refer to. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commonscat|Paxi}} *[http://www.paxi.gr/english/index.html The official page] *[http://www.paxosfestival.org.uk/ Paxos International Music Festival] {{Ionian Islands}} {{Corfu}} {{coor title dm|39|12|N|20|10|E|type:isle}} [[Category:Cities and towns in Greece]] [[Category:Port cities in Greece]] [[Category:Ionian Islands]] [[Category:Islands of Greece]] [[Category:Corfu prefecture]] [[br:Paksos]] [[bg:Паксос]] [[ca:Paxos]] [[de:Paxos]] [[el:Παξοί]] [[fr:Paxos]] [[it:Paxos]] [[nl:Paxi]] [[nn:Paxí]] [[pl:Paksos]] [[ru:Паксос (остров)]] [[sv:Paxos]]