A mythological legend claims the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos rose out of the waves when Poseidon, the sea-god struck the Corfu southern coast with his trident in order to create a secluded love refuge for himself and his lover the Neread Amfitriti. His weapon is now the island’s symbol, although for so peaceful a place, perhaps it would have been more appropriate to have chosen the pipes of Pan, the pastoral, goat – like god, who – the Romans believed – died on Paxos.

Another Neread, Speo, daughter of Nireas, a more ancient sea-god than Poseidon, and Dorida, daughter of God Ocean was believed to have her palaces in the numerous large caves on the island’s west coast.

Her name comes from the ancient greek word “speos”, which means cave. Speo like the rest of her Neread sisters were believed to be incarnations of the innumerous sea waves and were always pictured swimming among tritons and dolphins.