The Design, Symbols And Pattern Of The Flag
The strips represnt the number of the syllabes in the phrase:Eleftheria i Thanatos (Liberty or Death). Liberty orDeath was the motto during the year of the Hellenic Revolution against the Ottoman Empire in the 19nth century [ Other clain that the stripes reflect the # of the letter in the Greek word for Freedom Eleftheria].This word stirred the heart of the oppressed Greeks, it created intense emotion and inspired them to fight and gain their freedom after 400yrs of slavery. The striped pattern was chosen because of its similarity with the wavy sea that surrounds the shores of Grece. the interchange of blue and white colors makes the Greek Flag on a windy day to look like the Aegean Pelagos(sea). Only the quaint islands are missing! The Hellenic Square Cross that rest on the upper left-side of the flag and occuies one fourth of the total area demonstrates the respect and devotion the Hellentci people have for the Greek Orthodox Church and signifies the important role of Christianity in the formation of the modern Hellentic Nation. During the dark years of the Ottoman rule, the Greek Orthodox Church helped the enslaved Greeks to retain their culural characteristics: the Hellenic language, the Byzantine religion and generally the Hellenic ethnic identity, by the institution of the Crypha Scholia(secret schools).The Crypha Scholia were a web of schools that operated secretly throughout Grece and were committed in transmitting to Greeks the wonders of their ancestors and the rest of their cultural heritage. Today, Christianity is still the dominant religon among Greeks. Therefore, the sighnificance of the cross is justified.
GREEK BEACH
Paliostritsa on the west coast is a large resort area spread out in six beautiful coves, all with sandy beaches and surroundedby green forests and olive trees. it is actually quite an impressive place and is famous for its lobsters which are sold in the small tavernas. nearby is the Monastery of our lady of the Mother of God,founded in 1228, though the existing buildings are only a couple hundred years old. From here you can get a view of the bays of Paliokastritsa. South of Paliokastritsa. is Ropa Valley, home of the Corfu Golf Course, the largest in Europe, close to the beach of Hermones. The town of Pelkas is popular with independent travelers and not package groups, due to the three beautiful nearby beaches of Glyfada, Pelekas and the nudist beach of Mytiotissa. From the highest point of the village, is a flat area called Kaiser's throne because Wilhelm II used to come here to watch the sunsets.South of Glyfada is Agios Gordios beach, one of the most popular resort areas on the island and home of the famous Pink Palace, known to students and party animals from all over the world. It is a hotel complex with lots of activities that keep young people happy and occupied, from water-skiing and volleyball to drinking contests. For many young people seeing Europe for the first time, this is the last stop and for some people who make the mistake of beginning their European holiday here it is also their last stop. Like the island of Ios, it is the kind of place you must force yourself to leave so you can get on with the rest of your life.