6The Legend of Pontikonisi
Just off the coast of Corfu lies Pontikonisi, or Mouse Island, a tiny islet shrouded in myth and legend. According to legend, Pontikonisi is the petrified ship of Odysseus, turned to stone by the god Poseidon as punishment for Odysseus’s hubris. Today, Pontikonisi is home to a 12th-century Byzantine chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, making it a popular pilgrimage site for visitors seeking blessings and protection.
