Corfu

Corfu is one of the most popular islands and attracts every year thousands of visitors. The ancient name of the island is Drepanon, but today, all over Greece, it is known as Kerkyra, which, according to the Greek mythology, is the name of the wife of Poseidon, the god of the sea. Throughout history the island was known by various names. Mythology mentions the myth of Kerkyra, one of the twelve daughters of Assop and his wife, Metopis. Poseidon, the god of the sea, fell in love with her, kidnapped her and brought her to the island to hide her from his wife, Amphitreti. However, Pluto, the god of Addis, envied Poseidon's success and one night he kidnapped Kerkyra and took her down to Adis, leaving Poseidon their baby, Phaiakas. Therefore, in the years of Ulysses the island was named after him and was called Phaeceans.It is the northerly island of the Ionian Group and lies at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea. It is the second largest island of the Ionians. Corfu town, especially in its oldest part, is one of the most charming and romantic places of the modern Greece. A perfect example of ancient Venetian and Byzantine art that will be able to fascinate you with it secret little streets and its panoramic points. Surrounded by the sea, the old town of Kerkyra is closed between he two ancient fortresses. When you come by ferry boat, the humidity of the sea seems to hide Corfu town to reveal only at the last moment the old houses. The old Corfu town, built in the past between the two fortresses, has been developed with high buildings as consequence of the increasing number of the population. All these house, one next to the other, has been realised with local stones, with wooden attics and handmade tiles. Fortunately the number of buildings damaged by the Second World War is not so big, and today the charm of the old town of Corfu is preserved and can still give us the romantic view of an ancient time. Corfu island, for its strategic position into the Mediterranean sea, during its history has been always found interesting by many conquers. These has always left here something we can see today in many historical sites and in Corfu town buildings. More than a single house, you will appreciate them all together, especially during and after the sunset. It will be an unforgettable experience to spend hours and hours just walking up and down along thousand of small paved street, looking around to discover the old town secrets and to buy something to bring back home. You’ll visit Kerkyra walking between high old houses, you will buy traditional products in ancient cellars, surrounded by stone staircase, old Venetian wells and hidden gardens. Every single building, every single street will appear like an open museum, but the joy of life of the local people in Corfu will remember you that the old own is also full of life and full of surprises.The paved street and the ancient buildings seem to be built to introduce the large beautiful Esplanade and the romantic gallery of Liston; something you can’t miss to visit. The Esplanade of the old Corfu town is a large green area between the town and the old fortress. Its name comes from the complete absence of buildings that was important during the past to defend the town from foreigner enemies. Today a large part of Corfu’s Esplanade is changed into a beautiful public park full of trees and garden seats, while a small part of the Esplanade still host the old English cricket field. Along the west side of the Esplanade there’s also a marvellous building that remembers us the old French occupation; the Liston. The Liston of Kerkyra has been built by the French engineer Lesseps that to build it took inspiration from the Rue Rivoli in Paris. The Liston with its nice gallery full of coffee shops and restaurants is today the hearth of the social life in Corfu. Due to the ancient English domination, near the Esplanade, on the north side, there’s also the Royal Palace of Corfu, called also St. Michele and St. Giorgio palace. Built in 1820 under G.Whithmore Army General this is the only Georgian art example in all the Mediterranean area. Used in the past first from English and then from the Greek Royal Family, today it hosts the Museum of Asiatic Arts, the Historical Archive and the Classic Relics Authority of Corfu. If you pass from here at sunset time, we like to suggest you an amazing walk hat starts from the St. Giorgios Arch, next to the Corfu Royal Palace. As you will pass the great arch, you have just to follow the road that runs alongside the sea and will take you down to the entrance of the old town of Corfu. This road follows the ancient walls of Kerkyra, a marvellous sunset will be in front of you and you will pass near historical buildings like the church of Panaghia “Antivouniotissa”, the Byzanthine museum, the old port and the ancient arch of St. Nicholas.