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Welcome to Corfu

Corfu is the second largest island in the Ionian Sea.The name "Corfu", an Italian version of the Byzantine Κορυφώ, meaning "city of the peaks", derives from the Greek Κορυφαί (Koryphai), denoting the two peaks of the old fortress.

History

The island’s history goes back to Greek mythology. Its Greek name, Kerkyra, comes from the nymph Corcyra, daughter of the river Asopos. According to a myth, Poseidon, god of the sea, fell in love with the beautiful nymph Corkyra and abducted her.

Corfu is identified by archaeologists with the mythical island of Phaeacians.In Homer’s Odyssey Odysseus is washed ashore in Scheria (the land of Phaeacians) after days of straggle with the sea-waves.

The island remained under Venetian rule from 1401 to 1797.Ottoman Turks made several attempts to conquer Corfu, but none of them was successful. In 1797, Corfu was ceded to the French according to the treaty of Campo Formio. Two years later, in 1799, the Russian admiral Ushakov gained control of Corfu. In 1807 Corfu was turned into a province of the French Empire.When, by the Treaty of Paris of 5 November 1815, the Ionian Islands became a protectorate of the United Kingdom, Corfu became the seat of the British Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands .On May 21st 1864, after several intensive diplomatic consultations, Corfu and the rest of the Ionian Islands were united with Greece.

Moreover, Corfu was home to the Ionian Academy, the first Greek academic institution established in modern times. It is considered as the precursor of the Ionian University, established in 1984.

Corfu town and sights

While wondering in the old town, it becomes evident that Corfu was under foreign control for a very long time. It has been said that “Corfu town is Venice and Naples, a touch of France and more than a dash of England, apart of course from being Greek”.

The island if full of historic sites: The impressive 15th century Old Fortress, as well as the New Fortress, Spianada, the largest square in Balkans, Liston, the city’s trademark, the church of Saint-Spyridon, The Palace of St. Michael and St. George (museum of Asian art), Dionysios Solomos Museum, Mon Repos Palace and last but not least Achilleion (palace built by the empress Elizabeth of Austria).

Apart from its rich multi-cultural heritage, Corfu is also known for its stunning natural landscape and crystal waters.

In June 2007, based on the ICOMOS evaluation of the old town of Corfu, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.