Corfu Old Town 3,358 reviews #7 of 89 things to do in Corfu Town Neighborhoods Closed now 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Write a review About Soak up the romantic Mediterranean vibes and architecture along the cobbled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu off the western coasts of Albania and Greece, is located in a strategic position at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, and has its roots in the 8th century BC.
Corfu Old Town Visiting greece, Corfu town, Greece cruise
The old town of Corfu is a captivating medieval-style city that bears the marks of the 411 years under Venetian rule. It stands as the sole city and capital of Corfu island, bearing the name Kerkyra, identical to the island's Greek appellation. The Old Town of Corfu has clear Venetian influence. [5] The city was subjected to four notable sieges in 1537, 1571, 1573 and 1716, in which the strength of the city defenses asserted itself time after time, mainly because of the effectiveness of the powerful Venetian fortifications. Corfu's old town ( campiello) is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and dates back to the 8th century BC (although if you like older history you'll find some ruins outside the town on the Kanoni peninsula, which is where the original settlement was located) The Old Town of Corfu is the only such large area in Greece to have retained almost intact its historical urban network, with buildings dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This housing stock brings to the surface the unique historical conjuncture that formed its architectural and cultural character.
Corfu attractions
OVERVIEW A walking tour of Corfu Old town The Byzantines, Venetians, French and British all ruled over Corfu, giving this stellar island in the Ionian Sea a unique history that can be felt everywhere in the Old Town which has, in its entirety, been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unesco has declared Corfu's Old Town a world heritage site. Who couldn't be impressed by the stately buildings, with neoclassical influences, or fail to be moved by the likes of the Palace of St Michael and St George, Liston Arcade, Reading Society, the Catholic Cathedral, Maitland Rotunda, Ionian Parliament and the Kapodistrias family's mansion? The capital of the island of Corfu (Kérkyra), the town sits in a stunning location on an eastern promontory, dominated by two sturdy fortresses and overlooking the sparkling turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. The elegant Italianate architecture is the result of the nearly four centuries that Corfu spent under Venetian rule (1401 to 1797). Vidos Island Corfu Town Hourly boats from the Old Port make the 10-minute crossing to tiny, thickly wooded Vidos Island (€4 return), immediately offshore. The island is the final… Church of Agios Spyridon Corfu Town Pilgrims and day-trippers alike throng this Old Town landmark.
Corfu Town Corfu Old Town guide The Thinking Traveller
Corfu Town dates back to the 8th century BC and is known for its historic fortifications (the entire island is dotted with fortresses, not just the Old Town area!). Beginning in the 15th century, Corfu was controlled by the Venetians for nearly 400 years. The Venetians valued Corfu for its strategic position in the Ionian Sea. The old town in Corfu's splendid capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage site - it was ruled over by the Venetians for four centuries. Their legacy is evident in its neoclassical old quarter in hues of rose and ochre. I took my camera to explore its streets; here are 20 photos that will inspire you to visit this fortified medieval citadel.
Corfu Old Town is a magical place, with a character unlike anywhere else in Greece. Even if you're staying elsewhere on the island, here's why Kerkyra (as the city- and Corfu island itself- is also known) is well worth a visit. *This site contains affiliate links, where I earn a small commission from purchases you make, at no cost to you. Corfu Old Town, which serves as capital of the Ionian Islands, is located in the middle, along the eastern coast. The town is situated on a small, protected peninsula. Below, we include a Corfu City map of attractions that will help visitors get acquainted with the layout of the town. What is the Greek Name of Corfu Town, Greece?
15 Best Things to Do in Corfu (Greece) The Crazy Tourist
Corfu Town sits on a small peninsula about halfway down the east coast of the island, a site chosen for its natural port and the two peaks that lent themselves to fortress-building. PHOTO: Nikos Pilos. Corfu has been fortunate. A major regional earthquake that struck back in 1953 to flatten Kefalonia and Zakynthos, both further south in the Ionian Sea, did not impact the island. Its Old Town remained standing and, decades later, in 2007, was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
