According to myth, the Bay of Paleopkastrista is where Odysseus first encountered Nausicaa, the beautiful young princess of the island. The beautiful, heart-shaped bay is certainly an appropriate meeting-place for the pair, as many scholars believe the couple represents one of the earliest depictions of unrequited love in literature. Odysseus is drawn to the beautiful woman, and she even states that she would like to have a husband like the Greek warrior, yet never expresses any interest in Odysseus himself. Despite her father’s approval of a potential marriage between the two, they never have a romantic relationship, and Nausicaa is the only woman that Odysseus never tells his wife, Penelope, about when they are finally reunited. In addition to its Homeric history, the village of Paleokastritsa also features a 13th-century monastery, which now houses a museum. Located 25 km (15 miles) northwest of the island’s major town, Paleokastritsa one of the best-known sites on cosmopolitan Corfu, due to its history and unparalleled natural beauty.
