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'{{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 82 |telephone = 26620- |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, 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 [[Phoenicians]] 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]] and the Russo-Turkish alliance. On 13 Feb 1814, the island of Paxos surrendered to the [[Royal Navy]] [[sailing frigate|frigate]] [[HMS Apollo (1805)|HMS ''Apollo'']] and 160 troops from the 2nd Greek Light Infantry from [[Cephalonia]] and the 35th Regiment of the Royal Corsican Rangers. Finally the [[United Kingdom|British]] 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, Greece|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== Among 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 [[Susannah York]]. Some members of the [[Agnelli family]] (of [[FIAT]] fame) have 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 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 attracts some of [[Europe]]'s finest young performers. This festival usually takes place in late August/early September, however the 2010 festival is in doubt as sponsorship cannot be determined. Concerts are usually held in the now-disused school of [[Longos, Paxoi]]. An ancient Greek mystical story references a human like Dog named Paxi that allowed ruled ancient Greece. The half lion/half dog named Paxi dominated the country with love. All he wanted in return was the same. ==Communities and settlements== [[Image:Paxos IMG 1377.jpg|thumb|300px|Gaios: south part of the port]] *[[Antipaxos]] (nearby island) *[[Mogonisi]] (nearby island) *[[Nisaki]] or Panagia (nearby island) *[[Katsonisi]] (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]] [[File:Corfu tourists boarding ship bgiu.jpg|thumb|200px|Tourists boarding the Ilida hydrofoil at the New Port of Corfu, bound for Paxi]] ==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 was a privately owned seaplane service (7 minutes from [[Corfu]] town) operated by [[AirSea Lines]]. As of late 2009, this service is no-longer operational. ==Dialect== A dialect is spoken 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]. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commonscat|Paxi}} *[http://www.paxoi.gov.gr/ The official page] *[http://www.paxosfestival.org.uk/ Paxos International Music Festival] *[http://www.corfuvisit.net/default.asp?id=34&mnu=5&LangID=English The Prefecture of Corfu official page] *[http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/lamport/pubs/lamport-paxos.pdf The Part-Time Parliament,Leslie Lamport, appeared in ACM Transactions on Computer Systems 16, 2 (May 1998), 133-169] {{Ionian Islands}} {{Corfu}} {{coord|39|12|N|20|10|E|type:isle|display=title}} [[Category:Populated places in the Corfu Prefecture]] [[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Greece]] [[Category:Ionian Islands]] [[Category:Islands of Greece]] [[Category:Corfu Prefecture]] [[br:Paksos]] [[bg:Паксос]] [[ca:Paxos]] [[da:Paxi]] [[de:Paxos]] [[el:Παξοί]] [[es:Paxos]] [[fr:Paxos]] [[gl:Paxoí - Παξοί]] [[it:Isola di Passo]] [[he:פאקסי]] [[lt:Paksis]] [[nl:Paxi]] [[no:Paxos]] [[nn:Paxí]] [[pl:Paksos]] [[ru:Паксос (остров)]] [[sv:Paxos]]'