Corfu is one of the biggest and most famous islands of Greece. It belongs to the islands of the Ionian Sea. The island was Elizabeth's (the Empress of Austria) favourite vacation place.
During the decades, it was a crucial trade centre and a crossroad of many civilizations. 400 years of Venetian occupation, some years of Russian, British and French domination...
It is worth visiting:
√ The Old City. Cosmopolitan with the rich history and beautiful architecture, that is highly influenced by the Venetians. The rich history of the town brings the Old and the New Fortress, the majestic Palace of Saint Michail and Georgios and the noble houses. Its historic centre has been declared a monument of international legacy of UNESCO. When taking a walk to the town, to the narrow and the cobbled streets, one can admire the divine palaces, the Kapodistrias’ mansion, where, today, the Department of the Ionian University is lodged, the Rotonda by Meitland, the Town Hall of Corfu of the 17th century, the Catholic Cathedral of Aghios Iakovos and Christophoros, the Ionian Parliament.
√ Liston is the renowned complex of buildings by the French architecture with the characteristic arched arcades and the Venetian lamps. It was constructed between 1807-1814 in the patterns of the French Rue de Rirdi with the sketches of the French engineer Mathieu de Lesseps. Nowadays, under the big arcade, dozens of cafés are housed together with restaurants.
√ The church of Aghios Spyridonas, the patron of the island. His name has been related with many miracles. Today, in the temple are found the relics of Aghios Spyridonas, kept in a silver luxurious reliquary, a creation of the 19th century.
√ The museums of the island: τhe Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine Museum, the Museum of Dionyssios Solomos and the Museum of Asian Art.
√ Achilleion, the palace of the Empress of Austria, Elizabeth, known as Sissy. It is one of the most known royal palaces in Europe. It was built in 1890, following the patterns of the Italian architects Raffaele Caritto and Antonio Landi. The mansion of the neoclassical rhythm with a marvellous garden and palm trees, exotic flowers and perennial trees was named Achilleion by Sissy herself, in honour of her favourite hero, Achilleas.
√ Paleopolis, an old town of the 8th century BC.
√ Mon Repo, a summer mansion of 258 m2 with the fragrant gardens with the rare plants and trees. The mansion lived days of great glory: here was hosted the Empress of the Austrian-Hungarian district, Elizabeth, here lived Parini, the political Governor of the Ionian islands and here was born Philippus Maunbanden, husband of the queen of England, Elizabeth.
√ Kanoni with Pontikonissi. It is of the most celebrated spots of the island! It is in Kanoni, that one can see the small monastery of Panaghia of Vlachernai of the 17th. At the opposite side, at the approach of the Lagoon of Chalikiopoulo, lies the small picturesque island of Pontikonissi, with both a monastery and a church being dedicated to the Transfiguration.
√ The historic convent of Paleokastritsa. It was built to replace an old castle on the top of a hill in 1225.
Beaches:
On the island, there are some of the most incredible beaches; they have won the “blue flag”!
You should certainly visit:
√ Sidari, a splendid beach with sandy rocks coming into strange shapes, creating quite impressing sea caves. It is also famous thanks to the magnificent “Canal d’ Amour”. It is believed that you will find your other half, if you dive in. Apart from the Canal, there are other small, picturesque bays with a clay sand and blue waters.
√ Paleokastritsa, a reputable area for the unique landscapes with 6 small bays and crystal-clear waters.
Try:
√ The famous Corfu liqueur “Koum Kuat”.
√ “Chichibeer”
√ The traditional dishes like rooster, the Corfu pasticcio, the sofrito dish (fried slices of veal with garlic, vinegar and parsley), bourdetto (fish with a sauce).
