Orthodox Easter celebrations on the Greek island of Corfu are a smash - literally

“This is where large clay jugs filled with water are tossed from the balconies of homes in the center of the city’s old town, smashing into pieces onto the streets below as thousands gather to watch. ”

Corfiots mark Holy Saturday with what the outside world could see as a strange old custom referred to as the "botides".

This is where large clay jugs filled with water are tossed from the balconies of homes in the center of the city's old town, smashing into pieces onto the streets below as thousands gather to watch.

Visitors come from across the country and overseas to view the popular event. The sound of pots crashing is thunderous, and some fearless spectators stand quite close to the cordoned off “crash sites“, being sprayed by water and shards of clay. Oddly enough no one has ever been seriously injured during the custom, say Corfu Town Officials.

Locals believe the custom helps fend off bad spirits, and spectators take pieces of the smashed pots home as good luck charms. The origin of the custom is unclear. One popular belief is that it originated with the Venetians who ruled Corfu between the 14th and 18th centuries. To celebrate the new year, the Venetians would throw out their old belongings to make way for new ones to make a fresh start to the new year.

The Greeks adopted the custom, introducing clay pots, and moved it to Easter, one of the most important holidays in the Greek Orthodox religious calendar. There are also Biblical references to the smashing of clay pottery, symbolizing the divine striking down enemies.

Another belief is that the custom has its roots in ancient Greece. In April the ancient Greeks would throw away their old clay planting pots, planting seeds in new ones to mark the coming of spring.

Whatever the origin of the Corfu Easter clay pot smashing tradition, it makes for a must see event and time to visit the Greek island.

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