Pentophanaro: Corfu Town's Historic Five Lamps

A central meeting spot named for five lamps that, for decades, only had three. The iconic ironwork of the Pentophanaro is a historic light fixture that serves as an enduring local gathering place in Corfu Town.

The Heart of Spianada Square

Situated at the southern terminus of the Liston promenade along Kapodistriou Street, Pentophanaro rests on the western edge of the expansive Spianada Square. The ornamental multi-armed streetlamp functions as an informal boundary, elegantly dividing the Spianada into the Upper Square (Ano Plateia) and Lower Square (Kato Plateia).

This landmark acts as a physical and architectural hinge linking three defining features of Corfu. It bridges the grand French-built arcade architecture of the Liston, the vast green expanse of the Spianada, and the narrow Venetian alleyways, known as kantounia, that extend west into the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Today, it serves as a primary transition hub and a bustling taxi drop-off point, marking the threshold where vehicular streets end and the pedestrianized zones begin.

A Quirky History of Electrification

Before the arrival of electricity, earlier gas lanterns lit this busy intersection. When Corfu was electrified in 1938, the old gas lantern was replaced with a multi-branch pole carrying five electric lights. This upgrade earned the spot its enduring colloquial name, Pentophanaro, which translates literally to "Five Lamps."

Curiously, for several decades in the mid-to-late 20th century, the original fixture was replaced by a simpler lamppost carrying only three lanterns. Despite the missing lights, Corfiots stubbornly continued to refer to the intersection as Pentophanaro. The beloved landmark did not visually match its name again until 1994. Prompted by Corfu hosting the European Union Leaders Summit, the municipality restored the five-lantern design to honor its historic title.

Corfu's Premier Rendezvous

Pentophanaro is widely known as Corfu Town's most recognized rendezvous point for locals, students, and visitors alike. Setting a meeting at the Five Lamps is a staple of local life, perfectly situating individuals at the threshold of the city's main attractions.

The area around the lamps is rich with sensory cues. At twilight, the gentle glow of the five raised globes casts warm light across the entrance to the stone-paved Liston arcade. The air carries the layered sounds of clinking coffee cups from nearby arcades, blending with passing footsteps and the hum of crowds gathering on the edge of the open Spianada lawn.