| Greece | Eptanisa | Corfu | Corfu-City
Prefix: 0661
The City of Corfu
Corfu is built in the middle of the
east side of the island. It has developed on a narrow strip of land that advances into the
sea. The old town is the largest "Living" town in Greece, preserved in its
original form from the middle ages. The streets are laid with no particular order and its
narrow streets (Kantounia) can only be crossed on foot. The Kantounia are often
interrupted by monuments, Byzantine churches, Venetian stairs and stone fountains.
The new part of Corfu is not
separated from the old town, so next to the Kantounia there are wide streets with large
squares. One that stands out is Spianada
which is considered one of Greece's most beautiful squares.
The houses are two storeyed or more.
Some of them are built in the Anglican order, some carry a strong French influence and
others preserve in its totallity the island's tradition. They are decorated with arcades,
arches and balconies with elaborate railings.
Corfu is a proper Fortress City. It
is surrounded by the Old Fortress (or
Sea Fortress) which although based on an earlier Byzantine fortress was fortified and
added upon with the help of the Venetians in 1546. It is separated from the city with a
moat, named Contra Fosa, above which there was a wooden draw bridge. Inside the Fortress
you will find the church of Saint
George. It was built by the British in Basilica order with Doric columns in its front.
The New Fortress (or Land Fortress) near the
old harbor was built between 1572 and 1645 on the hill of Saint Mark to protect the city
from the possibility of a Turkish invasion.
The road that runs along the coast
line and the medieval walls is called Mouragia and it is very picturesque with beautiful
street lamps. 
Sights to
visit
Archaeological Museum
(tel. 30680) |
In the Tennis area. It houses finds from digs
all over the island. |
Byzantine Museum
(tel. 38313) |
In the Cambielo area at Mouragio. It is housed
in the church Panagia Antivouniotissa. |
| Museum of Asian Art
(tel. 30443) |
It is housed in the Old Palace of Saint Michael
and Saint George. It includes a collection of Chinese, Japanese and Indian art from the
Neolithic age up to the 19th century. |
| City Hall |
It was built in 1693 and is a fine example of
Venetian architecture. It is known by the name of Saint Jacomo. It is used as the city
hall since 1903. |
| Church of Saint Jason and Sosipatros |
In the area of Anemomylos. |
| Church of Saint Spyridon |
It was built in 1589 AD. A silver reliquary
decorated with gems contains the relics of the city's patron saint. It has the tallest
church tower. |
| Cathedral Panagia Spiliotissa |
A 16th century church housing the relics of
Saint Theodora who was the wife of emperor Theophilos. |
| Monastery of Panagia Platytera |
Located at Mantouki. Here are the graves of
Ioannis Kapodistrias and Fotis Tzavelas, a hero of the Greek revolution against Turkish
oppression. |
Ionian University
(tel. 22993-4) |
In an attempt to rekindle the stature of the
Ionian Academy, this university offers courses in: History, Foreign Languages and
Interpretation, Music, Archiving and Librarian skills. In the summer months, foreigners
can be taught the Greek Language. |
| The Old Prefecture Building |
It was built in 1835 based on plans of the
Kerkirean architect I. Chronis. It is one of the most important architectural examples
from the period of British rule. |
| The building of the Readers'
Association of Corfu |
The oldest intellectual foundation of Greece
was founded in 1836. |
| The Circular Building |
Built in the Ionian order in honor of the first
English commissioner. Nearby is the statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias. |
| The Kanoni area |
Internationally known area at the edge of the
peninsula. Stairs lead to the Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna, which is connected to the
land with a concrete bridge. From here you can get a boat to Pontikonisi where you will
find the Byzantine chapel of Pantokratora. |
| Mon Repo |
Located 3 Km from the city. It used to be the
summer house of the British Governor Adam and later on the former Greek royal family. |
| Museum of the Fighters for freedom |
It is housed in the building of the Ionian
house of commons. Here in 1863 the union with Greece was declared. It includes news papers
and documents about the fight of the people of eptanissa gave to unite their islands with
the rest of Greece. |
Museum: The beautiful world of the deep
(tel. 42900) |
Founded by Napoleon Sagias in 1989. You will
find shells, corals, shark jaws strange and rare fish which the founder collected from the
Mediterranean and other Seas. |
Currency Museum
(tel. 41552) |
Housed in the 1st and 2nd floor of the Ionian
Bank. You will find, paper notes from the times of Turkish rule until today, stamps,
foreign paper notes and photos that present the manufacture of coins & notes. |
Diary
| 21st May |
Anniversary of the union of Corfu with Greece. |
| The 1st Sunday of June |
Catholic holiday Saint Dorea |
| 10th August |
The "Barcarola" |
| 11th August |
The litany of Saint Spyridon. The litany is
repeated four times a year with the accompaniment of the local philharmonics on Palm
Sunday, Good Saturday and the 1st Sunday of November. |
| 14th August |
Religious celebration on the eve of the
Assumption of the Virgin, at Mantouki. |
| May - September |
"Sound and Light" fesival organized
by the Greek National Tourim Organization. All shows presented in Greek, English, French
and Italian at the Old Fortress |
| All through September |
Corfu Festival. |
| All through the Summer |
Cricket Festival with the participation of
British teams. |
| The last Sunday of Carnival |
Carnival parade of floats accompanied by the
island's philharmonics followed by the burning of "Carnavalos". |
| Good Saturday Morning |
The breaking of the earthenware jugs. |
Useful
numbers
| Dialing Prefix |
0661 |
| Tourist Information (GNTO office) |
37520, 37639, 37638 |
| Tourist Information (Municipal office) |
28509 |
| Tourist Police |
30265 |
| Coast Guard |
32655 |
| City Buses |
32158, 31595 |
| Buses going outside Corfu-City (KTEL) |
30627, 39985 |
| General Hospital |
45811-5 |
|
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