Vidos and Lazaretto: Corfu΄s Honour
Vidos island is a sacred place for the Serbs. Enimerosi archive photo
CORFU. They are not merely two municipal properties. They are historic sites, places of remembrance, and integral parts of the town. Their preservation, management, and operation are a non-negotiable responsibility of the local authorities.
The two small islands opposite Corfu Town, Vidos and Lazaretto, are not merely two more municipal properties. They are an integral part of Corfu—its history and its collective memory. As such, they deserve continuous care, regular maintenance, and full operational functionality, just like any public space that serves both residents and visitors.
Lazaretto bears an especially heavy historical legacy. Originally established as a quarantine station—the "Spinalonga of Corfu"—it was transformed during the difficult years of the Greek Civil War into a place of exile, imprisonment, and executions. It is a site of remembrance that demands respect, protection, and proper preservation.
Vidos, on the other hand, is a unique natural recreational area, but it is also a sacred place for the Serbian people. It is closely associated with the revival of the Serbian Army during the First World War, making it a symbol of Greek-Serbian friendship and a destination for historical pilgrimage.
The protection, accessibility, and dignified operation of these two islands are neither a luxury nor a matter of economic circumstance. They are a statutory responsibility of the Municipality and a fundamental prerequisite for a town that respects its history. Caring for them is an investment in Corfu's identity, in the quality of life of its residents, and in the image the island presents to its visitors.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
