OVERVIEW
One of the most cosmopolitan Mediterranean destinations, Corfu island (Kerkyra in Greek), is blessed with historic monuments, rich multi-cultural heritage, inspiring landscapes, sandy beaches, traditional villages, delightful architecture and gastronomy. Corfu is the island where Ulysses met Princess Nausica in one of Homer’s Odyssey most celebrated scenes. North of Corfu, the uninhabited Diapontia islands, are ideal for all those who enjoy diving and fishing. South of Corfu, are the charming, non-touristy Paxoi.
.AT A GLANCE
Capital: Corfu Regional unit’s area: 641.057 km2 Regional unit’s population: 104,371 Density: 160/km2 Climate: A hot-summer Mediterranean climate featuring hot, dry summers and mild to cool, very rainy winters.
.MUNICIPALITIES
.CENTRAL CORFU AND DIAPONTIAN ISLANDS .NORTH CORFU .SOUTH CORFU .PAXOI
CORFU
Area: 610.9 km2 Population (2021): 99,847 Pop.density: 163.44/km2 Municipality’s website: https://corfu.gr/
.HISTORY
Corfu’s history is rich, fascinating and turbulent. The island which has been inhabited since the Stone Age, is bound up with the history of Greece from the beginnings of Greek mythology. The first residents in the 12th century BC were the Phaecians, the first founder was Phaeakas and his son was Nafsithoos who was the father of the Homeric king Alkinoos. The Phaeacians were made famous in Homer’s Odyssey for helping Odysseus when he was washed ashore after being shipwrecked and helping him to return to Ithaca. Ancient Korkyra took part in the Battle of Sybota which was a catalyst for the Peloponnesian War (431-404BC). The Romans took control of Corfu in 230BC. The island later passed to the Byzantines, then to the Normans. From the 15th century, Corfu was under Venetian rule for some four centuries( from 1386 to 1797) then passing to French, and was under British administration from 1815 until it was ceded to Greece in 1864. Germans and Italians occupied it during World War II. It has thus been subject to various influences. It is now a popular holiday destinations for millions of people thanks to its natural beauty and historic past.
.POINTS OF INTEREST
Old Town: The entire Old Town of Corfu (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is like an open-air museum, filled with churches, squares and Venetian, British and French monuments. The focal point of the Old Town is Liston, a French-style, 19th-century arcade lined with upmarket cafes and eateries and Spianada Square, the largest square in the Balkans and a popular meeting place for residents and visitors.
Old & New Fortress: Built on a rocky peninsula with two characteristic hills, the Old Fortress is one of the most impressive Venetian fortification works in Greece. The new fortress built on the hill of St. Mark between 1572 and 1645 is another masterpiece of military architecture.
Angelokastro Castle: Located on top of a rock formation, on a steep slope, 305 meters above sea level, Angelokastro is one of the most important Byzantine fortresses to be found in the whole of Greece. It was an acropolis which surveyed the region all the way to the southern Adriatic.
Pontikonisi: Also known as “Mouse Island,” the small rocky island with vegetation, tall cypress trees and interesting shape is one of the most photographed spots of Corfu and is hosting the 11th-12th century Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator.
Achillion: An elegant Pompeian-style palace built in 1889 exclusively for Empress Elizabeth of Austria (Sissy). It used to serve as her summer retreat and she named it Achillion after the Homeric hero Achilles.
Kanoni: A small peninsula just south of Corfu Town, Kanoni (meaning cannon) took its name from an old cannon that stands on top of the hill and offers from its circular terrace an amazing view across the island of Pontikonissi.
Mon Repos: Situated on top of Analipsis Hill, near the Kanoni area, the summer Palace Mon Repo, a lovely verdant area, used to be the summer residence of the former royal family of Greece and birthplace of the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Ioannis Kapodistrias’ mansion: The impressive building located on 124 Kapodistriou Street in Mouragia quarter, belonged to the first governor of the modern Greek State and was built in 1845 by the Corfiot architect Ioannis Chronis.
Ionian Academy: The Ionian Academy was the first Greek academic institution established in modern times. Established by the British philhellene Frederic North, the Count of Guilford, it operated from 1824 to 1864 when the island was united with the Greek state.
Palaiopolis: The core of the ancient city of Corfu (Paleopolis) occupies a prime spot on the Kanoni Peninsula. There was the marketplace of the ancient Agora, the Doric temple of Kardaki, the roman baths. Further out north, remains The Tomb of Menecrates. In the south of Paleopolis is the temple of Artemis.
.TOP BEACHES
Paleokastritsa: the village where the mythical Phaeacians once lived has over six different beaches: Agios Spiridon, Alipa, Ampelaki, Agios Petros, Agia Triada, and Platakia.
Sidari: A very small sandy beach where you’ll enjoy brilliant turquoise waters.Sidari is also known for being home to the Canal d’Amour, where a natural passage created by the smooth rocks forms a tunnel to swim down.
Glyfada: One of the most popular beaches surrounded by lush vegetation only 16 km away from Corfu town
Dasia, Kalami, Liapades, Ermones, Kavos Kontokali, Benitses, Halikounas, Peroulades, the list of beaches is endless.
.GASTRONOMY
The Corfiot cuisine is deeply influenced from the Venetians. Try “pastitsada” (beef in a rich tomato sauce with thick pasta), “sofrito” (tender cuts of beef or veal cooked in olive oil and wine served with mashed potatoes or rice), “bourdeto” (fish stew with red spicy sauce), “savoro” (little fried fish marinated in a white sauce with garlic, rosemary and vinegar), “nouboulo” also known as Corfiot prosciutto (smoked pork fillet). After your meal, indulge in delicious local sweets, such as “mantolato” (macaroon made of almond and honey), “fogatsa” (a kind of Venetian origin brioche) and “sikomaida” a pie made of dried figs, pepper, anise, cinnamon.
.WINES & DRINKS
Kumquat Liqueur: The trademark of Corfu is the kumquat liqueur which is is produced by extracting the rare citrus fruit kumquat into alcohol. Since 1924, production of kumquat liqueur-a liqueur with a sweet and sour taste- has been dominated by pro distilleries. Kumquat is also used for producing wonderful jams, spoon sweets and fruit glace.
Tsitsibira: Another trademark of the island is “tsitsibira” (ginger beer), a tonic soft drink without any preservatives. Juice of lemon, natural lemon oil, freshly grated ginger, water and sugar are the ingredients.
.SHOPPING
Mainly situated in the island’s capital, shops in Corfu are numerous and diverse with a wide range of authentic goods, souvenirs, and quality products. leather sandals, jewelry, ceramics handmade items crafted from wood, and Llocal specialties like kumquat jam, honey, and herbs are available.
.FEASTS, FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Easter celebrations: The Easter period begins in Corfu on Palm Sunday. At 11 am the procession of the Holy Shrine of Saint Spyridon takes place commemorating the miracle of the Saint who expelled the plague from the island back in 1629. All the Philharmonic bands of Corfu participate in this ceremonial event. On Holy Saturday at 06:00 the representation of the earthquake takes place and it is a custom of the church of Virgin Mary of Xenon. At exactly 11:00, the most beloved tradition of all takes place. People gather around Corfu town and mainly in Liston, where large clay jugs (botides) filled with water are tossed from the balconies to celebrate the Resurrection. Visitors come from across the country and overseas to view the popular event.
.RELIGIOUS SITES
Saint Spyridon Cathedral: The Church of St. Spyridon the Thaumaturgist (Miracle-worker), the island’s patron Saint, whose relics are kept here, is located in the Old Town of Corfu, right behind Liston. The church’s bell tower is the tallest in the city. It certainly reminds us of that of San Giorgio dei Greci in Venice, a treasured jewel of the Greek Orthodox Diaspora.
Saint Jason and Sosipater: Dedicated to Jason and Sosipater, the first Corfiot men who became Christians and preached Christianity on the island, this 10th century church is located in the quarter of Garitsa.
Pantokrator (Eternal-Ruler) Monastery: Located at the highest point of Corfu, at 917 metres above sea level, the monastery was originally constructed in 1347. Visitors are treated to breathtaking views of the entire island from its elevated position.
Platytera Monastery: Founded in 1743 by the Hieromonk Chrysanthos Syropoulos from Lefkada, this emblematic monastery dedicated to Virgin Mary is located a kilometer from the old town.
.KEY MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES
Archaeological Museum: Housing some 1,600 pieces found around Corfu, the museum present the history of the island from the Prehistoric period to Late Antiquity. The highlight of the fine collection is a monumental pediment (590–580 BC) of the Temple of Artemis from the nearby Kanoni Peninsula, bearing a representation of Gorgon. It is the oldest preserved stone pediment of ancient Greek architecture.
Byzantine Museum: Housed in the Panagia Antivouniotissa church, which is dedicated to the Holy Mother of God Antivouniotissa (Greek for facing the mountain), the museum’s collection includes Byzantine artifacts, icons, manuscripts, jewelry, and pottery.
Museum of Asian Art: Founded in 1928 as the Museum of Sino-Japanese Art, it has collections of Chinese art, Japanese art, Indian art and others. It is the only museum in Greece dedicated exclusively to the arts and culture of Asian countries. Around 10,500 items come from donations of private collections.
Museum of Music: Inaugurated in 2010, on the 170th anniversary of the Philharmonic Society, it is the only museum of its kind in Greece, It holds important artefacts such as old and rare musical instruments, paintings, photographs, student lists, original musical scores, audio documents and visual works.
Historic and Folklore Museum: Established in 1982 by the Historical and Folk Society of Corfu, the museum is housed in a traditional two-floor building in Sinarades, about 10 km to the south-west of the city of Corfu. Its exhibits are items and costumes from the daily life of the Corfiots in the 19th century.
Banknote Museum: Established by the Alpha Bank, Greece’s largest privately-owned banking group, the Banknote Museum features a collection that spans the entire numismatic history of modern Greece since the establishment of the modern Greek state in 1830.
Solomos Museum: The house in which the national poet of Greece, Dionysios Solomos(1798–1857) , lived the last years of his life and composed his most mature works. His ‘Hymn to Liberty’ became the Greek national anthem.
Municipal Art Gallery: Housed inside the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, the gallery is showcasing a remarkable collection of works dating back to the 16th-20th century. High-quality Byzantine icons, including 16th-century works by the Cretan Damaskinos, plus a more extensive array of canvases by Corfiot painters of the 19th century (Ch. Pachis, P. Prossalendis the younger, A. Giallinas, V. Boccaciambis, S. Scarvelis, L. Koyevinas, G. Samartzis).
.MAJOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Ionian University: Founded in 1984, the university comprises five faculties and twelve departments. Its seat is in Corfu, with university units in Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.
.TRANSPORT
Airport: Seasonal international flights and domestic flights from Athens, Thessaloniki and Preveza throughout the year.
Port: There are daily ferries to Corfu from the port of Igoumenitsa, in north-western Greece. Moreover, Corfu is reachable by ferry from Italy, particularly from the ports of Bari and Ancona.
.ACCOMODATION
Corfu has an excellent selection of accommodation ranging from self-catering apartments villas, and cottages through to boutique hotels and hotel complexes to suit all tastes and pockets.