General Information About Corfu

Where the Venetians, the French and the British used to live. With the passage of time the island may have changed, but we can still feel the spirit of a distant glorious past. Its rich multi-cultural heritage, its historic monuments, its stunning natural landscape, its crystal clear seas, and its excellent weather all year round explain why Corfu is one of the most cosmopolitan Mediterranean destinations weaving a powerful spell on its visitors.

No matter how long you are in the island for, take at least one morning to explore the old town considered by many as the most beautiful town in Greece! The town consisting of three Venetian forts designed by renowned Venetian engineers and neoclassical housing is an architectural ensemble of outstanding universal value.

In June 2007, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a fortified Mediterranean port town of high integrity and authenticity. Enjoy stroll around the narrow streets and alleyways with the old neoclassical buildings, exquisite Italian statues, picturesque piazzas, beautiful fountains, bell towers and tomes. Visit the baroque-style Spianada square, the Ionian Academy and the astounding architecture of the museum of Asian Art (which is the only one in Greece). Corfu has nothing to envy from Venice, Tuscany and the Italian Ravenna. Corfu town is so beautiful; it takes your breath away!

Legends and Secrets

The city of Corfu is linked to many legends, where the boundaries of reality and fiction are interwine. Legend has it that the entire Old Town is hollow underneath, especially the area below Spianada with underground tunnels connecting the Old with the New Fortress. These passages are closed for security reasons, but during the bombardments of 1943 many people sought refuge there. Other legends state that there are secret passages which connect the city and the Forts with the islet of Vidos (which also had a fort, demolished in 1864, just before the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece).

Another fascinating story of the Corfiat tradition is Sagrado. These are mazy, narrow dungeons, in the basements of mansions. According to legend, during the Venetian occupation, the outlaws and the fugitives had the right to seek shelter in those mansions when the police was hunting them down. Rumor has it that the Aristocrats sometimes punished the alleged criminals and this is why these dungeons became notorious. During WW II, the Germans opened few of these Sagrados and discovered human skeletons and skulls. Seek for these dungeons in the basements of the Androutselis, Rivellis and Sordina’s mansions.

Spianada is the main square of the island,

Spianada is the main square of the island, the biggest one in the Balkans and one of the biggest in Europe. It’s the social hub of Corfu, where everybody goes for lunch, coffee and drinks at any time of the day. It was built according to the architectural style of European Royal Gardens and it’s surrounded by buildings of astounding Venetian and French architecture. Try it early in the morning or later at night. Everybody who’s anybody goes there!

Exactly behind Liston and Spianada Square you will see numerous restaurants that serve authentic Corfiat cuisine. Choose the one you like and enjoy dinner under the starlit sky in this picturesque pedestrian street.

Pontikonisi

Having adopted its name from its peculiar shape resembling a mouse,the small islet is Corfu’s landmark.
The vegetated rock in the middle of the sea has been declared as an open natural museum and can be visited by a small boat from Kanoni, just outside the famous church of Virgin Mary Vlaherna. If you happen to be in Kerkyra during the Metamorphosis of Jesus Christ (August 6th) you are in luck as it is the only day visitors are able to visit the islet and the Byzantine monastery of Pantokratoras, which is the only building standing there.

Agios Spyridonas Church

This is one of the most important Metabyzantine monuments in the city of Corfu, built in 1589 and located at the Old Town (a few minutes from Spianada and Liston).
It has an amazing marble temple, the relics of the Saint are kept in a silver crypt of the 19th century and it has some astonishing frescoes and golden panels all around. Agios Spyridonas is the patron saint of the island and they say he saved the inhabitants from the plague epidemic. The church’s bell tower is the tallest on the island. Be sure to be suitable dressed. You will be made very welcome, but out of respect make sure that you are suitably dressed. Beach attire should stay at the beach! Shorts are perfectly acceptable, but you must wear at least a t-shirt. For the girls it is essential to have shoulders covered.

The old Townhall

In 1663 the construction of the gallery of noble “loggia nobili” was begun, and took almost 30 years to complete..This beautiful building housed the famous San Giacomo theatre. Later on the director of the orchestra for the operas that played there was Nicholas Mantzaros composer of our national anthem. Today the building has retained its beauty and has become the home of the Town Hall. It is located at the intersection of Eugene M. Voulgareos street and M.Theotoki street.

The Ionian Parliament building

At the intersection of Napoleon Zabeli and Moustoxidi streets is the building of the Ionian Parliament.Here the representatives of the people of the Ionian Islands voted for union with Greece which was eventually ratified by a resolution of the Ionian Isles on 23rd September 1863. The building was designed by Ioannis Chronis in 1855 in a neoclassical style with a distinctive entrance of Doric columns.

It was restored in 1978 and since then has been the home of the Museum devoted to the struggle of the people of eptanisa (Ionian Islands) for freedom. We hope that it will be restored to its previous glory and officially become the Ionian Parliament.

Fortezza or Old Fort

The Fortezza is located on the east part of the city. It’s an architectural masterpiece of the Byzantine and the Venetian era. Inside you will see a Venetian prison, two British barracks and a military hospital, which now hosts the music school. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Old Town, the sea and the small port with the fishing boats.

Fortezza Nueva or New Fort

Dominating the hill of San Marco, the New Fort was built by the Venetians (16th century), after it was decided that the Old Fort wasn’t providing enough protection in the city. It’s said that in order to find the necessary building material, the architect Francisco Vitelli had to demolish 2.000 houses and churches.

The Old and the New Fort are still connected by underground channel that are now closed to the public. In its massive gate, visitors will see the amazing sculpture of a Lion, an emblem that will always be linking this Fort to Venice. Today, the New Fort hosts many cultural events, art exhibitions and concerts.

Kanoni (Canon)

A cosmopolitan spot with a magical sea view overlooking the islet of Vlaherna and the famous Pontikonisi, the town derived its name from the original French canon located just in the middle of the little square. This is where the ancient city of Corfu (8th century BC) and the ancient temple of Artemis are located. The entrance to the legendary Casino is also there.

Remnants of the Byzantine castle in Gardiki

In the west coast near Halikouna and the village of Agios Mattheos, there are the remains of an old Byzantine castle known as the castle of Gardiki.During the summer months concerts and other events have been performed there.

Palaiokastritsa

A place of rare natural beauty,northwest from the city of Corfu, Palaiokastritsa consists of two long sandy beaches surrounded by astonishingly sculpted rocks with cold, emerald waters. The coast is ideal for diving and snorkeling, due to the numerous coves and the underwater caves. Scenes from the James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only” were also shot here.

Aggelokastro in Paleokastritsa

This is the westernmost outpost of the Byzantine Empire and the Despotate of Epirus to which Corfu belonged until 1267 ,near the village of Krini north of Paleokastritsa next to a monastery. Built in the early 12th century AD by the Despot of Epirus Duke Michael-Angelos Komnenos the second, and in its prime, in an emergency it could protect the entire population of the region, about 4000 people.Inside the castle two large water tanks and the churches of the Holy Archangels and Agia Kiriaki are preserved. The church of the Archangels was built in 1784 on the site of an older church. Agia Kiriaki was built inside a small cave and has 18th century paintings.

Aggelokastro(Angel`s castle) saw many sieges but never fell except once to the Venetians after a six month siege in 1386. In 1537 only 8 soldiers of his guard with the help of the residents were needed in order to repel the attack of Barbarossa. The Turks tried again and failed to conquer the Castle in 1571. The names of the villages around got their names from the soldiers who took pieces of land to settle on when they retired.

Examples are: Makris-Makrades, Vistonas-Vistonas, Doukas-Doukades, Aspiotis-Aspiotades, Kabbadias-Kabbadades etc.

Ano Peritheia – Travel back in time

Ano Peritheia is a little bit isolated and quite far from the capital town of Kerkyra, but it’s definitely worth a visit, simply because it’s out of the ordinary. The ghost-town of Ano Peritheia is located on the north part of the island in the slopes of Pantokratoras Mountain.

Weird tales, urban legends and obscure narrations are linked to this place. An abandoned, mysterious and alluring medieval mountain village with deserted honey-stone and stucco mansions with rosy tiled roofs, Ano Peritheia was built at this isolated location around the 14th century by locals who wanted to be protected from the pirates, as well as the plague the island suffered.

Some people say that it was deserted when Corfu started becoming a popular holiday destination and everybody moved back to the seashore. But according to others, the plague did eventually reach the village leading to the death of many of its inhabitants and the rest just left. This entire village is a unique architectural monument and it’s definitely worth your visit. During the summer months there are two taverns with traditional cuisine, operating within the walls of this amazing ghost medieval town.

Lake Korission

If you are a nature lover do visit this beautiful saltwater lagoon. It’s a rare wetland, with wild vegetation and hundreds different types of birds, like curlews, egrets and oyster birds, widgeons and cormorants.
There is also a small cedar forest nearby. The beach of Halikounas is at a close distance and it’s the favorite of those who prefer peace, quiet and crystal clear shallow waters.

Canal d’ Amour

For those of you incurably romantics, there is a place you should definitely visit. Just left of the long sandy beach of Sidari, you will see the Canal d’ Amour (the channel of love). It’s basically a tunnel, between the rocks. Tradition says that whoever swims in this channel towards the other side will meet the love of their life. The entire beach is filled with small coves and sea caves and surrounding rocks have been sculpted by the winds and the sea, creating astonishing ensembles.

Scuba Diving

For those of you who love scuba diving, the peculiar underwater landscape of Corfu will not disappoint you.

The most popular diving spots are:

• Sceloudi Island, a small rocky islet with an exotic underworld filled with parrotfish, barracudas, breams and groupers, just off Palaiokastritsa.
• Neptune’s Cave is a cavern with many narrow channels, two domes and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
• Odysseus is an offshore rocky islet and a top diving spot, listed among the best 100 of the world. Gigantic vertical cliffs, numerous reefs, fantastic underwater architecture and marine life.
• The Blue Eye, an underwater labyrinth, with one cavern and three large exits. The walls are covered with sponges and it’s recommended only for experienced divers.
• The Anchor is a peculiar bat cave. Divers can witness debris from a British ammunition transporter, which exploded and sunk in this very spot in 1944. The anchor lays at a 25m depth and its chain leads to the reef’s entrance.
• The Hole of Ha is a fascinating cave filled with natural light. A long underwater tunnel leads to a hall. As the ceiling of the hall has collapsed, you will have an astounding view of the trees and the sky through the water.