More than the classical vestiges, which are not lacking, Corfu on the historical-cultural level is indebted above all to the very long Venetian domination which lasted from the fourteenth to the end of the eighteenth century. This is a circumstance that has kept the island safe from any Eastern Turkish influence, a unique fact in the history of Greece.
Corfu Old Town
The historic center of Corfu (Kérkyra in Greek) is a must for an island holiday. Since 2007, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is in the old part of the capital that the Venetian and English architectural influences, of which we spoke at the beginning, are most visible. According to many, the most fascinating neighborhood is Cambiello, a maze of alleys with 4 and 5-storey buildings.
The historic building largely survived World War II, which gives the whole area a retro charm. Spianada is instead the main square of Corfu and is located in front of the Ancient Fortress, one of the two fortified citadels (the other is Fortezza Nuova) with the function of observing and defending the dangers coming from the sea.
Paleopolis
The archaeological site of Paleopolis is a must see when visiting Corfu. It is located on the Kanoni peninsula (about 2 km south of the historic center of the capital) and offers a very interesting insight into the antiquity of the island, central to traffic along the Adriatic and Ionian routes even before the arrival of the Greeks and Romans.
The excavations begun around the middle of the 19th century have brought to light the ancient agora of the city, the remains of the military port of Alcinoo (king of Feaka), the remains of the Roman baths, the ancient Byzantine basilica, the sanctuary of Artemide-Gorgone and the tower of the ancient city walls. A few minutes walk from the Roman Baths is the Palazzo Mon Repos, a building of English domination later owned by the Greek royal family and now home to the Paleopoli History Museum.
Achilleion Palace
On the Corfu-Achillion national road, follow the signs to Agios Deka and from there to the village of Gastouri. Winding paths, olive groves as far as the eye can see, up to an imposing neoclassical building from the end of the 19th century. It was Empress Elisabeth of Austria who wanted to build it, and in Corfu she found the necessary peace to at least alleviate the sufferings of a rather restless life.
The palace’s dedication to Achilles was also a tribute to Princess Sissi, who even dedicated a monument to a Homeric hero with the famous Paris heel piercing scene. After the death of Empress Elizabeth, the palace was bought by William II of Prussia, who made several improvements, including the installation of a new sculpture dedicated to Achilles, but this time in the pose of a victorious warrior.
Korission lake
The south coast of Corfu is a succession of small and medium-sized villages where the development of tourism has spread like a blur. Some locations such as Messonghi and Moretika on the southeast side have reached a good standard of hotel base; others, however, as mentioned at the beginning, remain anchored to the more rhythmic rhythms of agriculture and fishing.
In any case, these are beautiful landscapes, characterized by long stretches of sand and a typically Mediterranean scenery. It is worth making a stop in Lefkimi, a town of about 3,000 inhabitants with a small river port that allows local fishermen to moor their boats. Lake Korission on the southwest side deserves even more. In this case it is an area of great naturalistic interest. A lagoon close to the sea crossed by a bridge that leads to a small grove in the sand.
Angelokastro
Less than 3 kilometers from Lakones is the mountain village of Makrades, famous throughout Corfu for the sale of wine and aromatic herbs. Makrades, on the other hand, is less than 2 kilometers from the Angelokastro Fortress, a 13th-century structure commissioned by Michael II of Epirus. For centuries, the inhabitants of the northern part of Corfu took refuge in this fortified citadel every time the pirates – first the Genoese and then the Turks – reached the shores of the island.
The inadmissibility and the panoramic view of the fortress are two reasons that have contributed to its tourist attractiveness, even if the last stretch of the road to the top is not suitable for everyone. Finally, a curiosity. Another topos by which the castle is known is the “Fortress of the Angels”.
