Just 6 km inland from Roda lies Nymphes. A big village with a lot of water, green and legends built on a height of 200 meters. According to a legend, in old times, the Nymphs used to bathe in the village’s waterfalls. Unfortunately for visitors they tend to be dry in the summer months. The village square has a taverna under the plane trees.
A walk to the wells and the waterfalls is enough to make you understand why this legend exists ! It is almost certain that you will come across a nymph, too and if you are lucky, you will see her bathe in the water especially in spring. See the falls on YouTube;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6jp2SqrGjMAfter your walk to the myths, it is a good idea to visit the premises of the Agriculture Co-operative which elaborates kum-kuat and produces liquor and sweets. You will be offered some for free and you will have the chance to try the different liquor qualities (and of course, buy some, if you like).
The Kumquat is a unique small tree bearing tiny oval fruits. The tree has dense branches and deep green leaves. Its flowers grow white, resembling the citrus flowers, before turning into the miniature kumquat fruit. Kumquat has been cultivated in China and Japan for centuries. It was brought to Corfu by the English botanist, Merlin, in 1924. Merlin was a great traveller and used to bring exotic products back from his trips. He discovered the kumquat on a visit to Japan and brought some plants to cultivate on Corfu. There are now thousands of trees on the island. The kumquat fruit resembles an oval tiny orange about three to four cm long. It is the only fruit of the Citrus family that is eaten with the peel, which is rich in essential oils and vitamin C. Its distinctive bittersweet zesty flavour makes it the perfect ingredient in deserts and salads and is a favourite for marmalades, sugary and other traditional sweets as well as liqueurs. Corfu is virtually the only place in Europe where kumquat is cultivated.
It mainly grows on the northern part of Corfu in Nymphes, where the mild climate, rich soil and abundance in water make it the ideal place for the kumquat trees to thrive. It blooms in March and April and the fruits are picked in May.
Just outside the village, you can visit Askitario, a small but historic monastery. According to tradition, here lived in the 5th century the monk Artemios Paissios from Epirus, who is said to have worked many wonders.
Topic: NYMPHES - Νύμφες - According to a legend, in old times, the Nymphs used to bathe in the village’s waterfalls. Unfortunately for visitors...More... (Read 3234 times)