Nautical Tales

Volume 2, Issue 2

May 2009

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The waters between the north-east tip of Corfu and Albania have long been a strategic passage for ships travelling from Europe to places further east. If you have spent time in Roda, at least during the summer months, you will know that the mornings are generally very calm with a cooling north-

Nautical Tales - Searching the Straits

westerly breeze picking up in the afternoons. Every couple of weeks, there is a maestro which, for the most part, leaves Roda unaffected because of its sheltered position, but out in the straits towards Albania its effect is more dramatic.
The Romans inhabited Corfu for almost 600 years beginning in 229BC

about this time, a ship carrying amphoras, the large two handled jars so representative of this part of the world, was hurled against the rocks on the Albanian coast somewhere opposite Kalami. At this point the seabed plunges down very steeply and the ship either sank or spilled its contents over the

already documented. One such wreck, found some 3 km off Sarande, has revealed amphoras from the 6th century BC that were made in Corinth and it is one of the oldest finds ever made. Others have produced stone anchors, 4th century amphoras and a north. African jar. One of

the most exciting discoveries has been a whole shipload of roof tiles from Corfu which have been matched with others found in ancient Corinthian cities in western Albania.
This was such an important trade route that, over the next five years, the whole of the coastline of Albania and, in particular, the straits which separate Corfu

which, from what we can gather, is a little after Roda’s Temple of Apollo was built and around the same time that the recently unearthed remains were buried near today’s village church. At

side. Last year, a US archaeological team recovered part of a lead-lined anchor and upwards of forty amphoras from this one site alone. There are at least another twenty sites are

from the mainland will be thoroughly searched and investigated for further treasures. We look forward to piecing together more of this island’s important place in history.

Corfu Donkey Rescue

Just to bring everyone up to date with the results of the Pavo vote. The good news is that when voting closed on 15th March 2009, the Corfu Donkey Sanctuary was ahead with an amazing 55%. Judy Quinn, who runs the shelter for the donkeys was notified officially several days later, I believe.

Thank you to everyone who voted for this worthy cause. The € 1000 will be put to good use, especially as the sanctuary now has its new land. If you would like to visit the C.D.R. web site, click on the donkey!

Less of a package and more all-inclusive, better value and more personal, in Roda you have the freedom to choose where to go, what to do and how much to spend.

Roda

… the village for those who value independence!