Corfu Island
Corfu Island has long been one of the most charming places in Greece. It is located just off the coast of the mainland and is the northernmost and most fertile island of the Ionian Archipelago, a chain of islands in the Mediterranean. Steeped in ancient legends and tales, immersed in dense vegetation and washed by the emerald waters of the two seas, the Ionian and Adriatic, Corfu has absorbed the traditions of the cultures of East and West, developed here for thousands of years.
Video: Corfu
Contents- Highlights
- The Blessed Island
- History of Corfu Island
- Corfu Town
- Southern part of Corfu Island
Northern Corfu Island - Western Corfu Island
- Cooking
- Transportation
- Where to stay
- How to get there
Highlights
The Greeks themselves, paying tribute to mythological tradition, call the island Kerkyra. This was the name of the daughter of the Greek deity Asopus and the river nymph Metopa. In love with Kerkyra god of the sea Poseidon stole her and transferred her to the marvelous beauty of an unknown island, which has since borne the name of the beauty.
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According to Homer, the first inhabitants of the island were Pheaki, a glorious people of seafarers. According to legend, they owe their name to Poseidon and Kerkyra’s son Pheacus.
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There are other legends associated with the island of Corfu: the Argonauts, returning from the campaign for the Golden Fleece, celebrated here the wedding of Jason and Medea; on the shore of Kerkyra waves threw Odysseus after a shipwreck, where he was found by Nausikaya, the beautiful daughter of King Alkinoi.
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Blessed Island
History of Corfu Island
The geographical position of the island has long been responsible for its military-strategic and commercial importance, which turned Kerkyra into an arena of turbulent historical events and military clashes.
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In 1386 Corfu came under the rule of the Venetians, whose rule here lasted more than four hundred years. During this period it was repeatedly attempted to be conquered by the Ottoman Turks. During one of the sieges, in 1537, Turkish troops managed to capture part of the island, resulting in a huge part of Corfu’s population being captured and taken to the Ottoman Empire.
.During Venetian rule, the island’s inhabitants were divided into three classes: the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie and the people. The aristocracy was recorded in the Golden Book. Title was passed on by inheritance. The wealthy spoke two languages, Greek and Italian, and education was often received in Venice and Padua. This era still defines Corfu, where the influence of classical Greek culture and Italian Romanticism are intertwined.
.In 1797, the ordinary people of Corfu, dissatisfied with the privileges for the aristocracy and bourgeoisie, welcomed with joy the French soldiers sent by Napoleon to conquer the island. In the central square of their capital, Corfu, they burned the “Golden Book” together with the French and planted a tall tree of freedom. However, on the island can still be found outspoken snobs who are descendants of families once listed in the “Golden Book”.
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Corfu Town
Opposite the square is the fortress, one of the most beautiful in Greece. The fortress was built by the Venetians in the 14th century and fortified in 1546. It is located on a high rocky promontory, separated from the city by a moat, over which there is a bridge. On the territory of the fortress you can visit the beautiful church of St. George, built by the British, see the barracks and military guns, as well as admire the panorama from here. Near the old fortress, a new fort was built between 1576 and 1588 to protect the town from possible Turkish attack. A visit to each of these sights will cost you 7 €.
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The southern part of Corfu Island
Heading south of the island from Corfu Town, you will find yourself on the Kanoni Peninsula. It is located 5 km from the central part of the town. The coastline of the peninsula is magnificent and the beaches are delightful.
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From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the islets of Vlaherna and Pondikonisi. The former is home to the miniature monastery of Panagia Vlahernon, built in the 17th century. The island is connected to the land by a long narrow pier.
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800 meters from the coast of the island is Pondikonisi (Mouse Island). According to legend, Pondikonisi is the fossilized ship of Odysseus, turned into a rocky island by the ruler of the seas Poseidon. If you find yourself in this place, visit the small Byzantine church of XI-XII centuries, nestled in the shade of cypress trees. The island can be reached by boat.
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The Achilleon was later bought by the German Emperor Wilhelm II. Today, the palace is open to the public and is considered one of Corfu’s most striking landmarks. Its interior impresses with its luxury: you can admire exquisite wall paintings, original carved furniture, a fireplace made of black Italian marble, walk down a wide marble staircase, at the foot of which there are statues of Zeus and Hera. Check out the small Catholic chapel and Wilhelm II’s private study.
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The coastal village of Moraitika is located 2 km from Benitses. Its beach is considered by many to be the best beach between Corfu and the southernmost point of the island, Kavos. It is crowded and the beach itself is densely packed with bars, restaurants and stores. But just a 10-minute walk from the beach inland is a different atmosphere. The quiet streets and steep alleys of Moraitika are almost deserted and very picturesque.
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The organized beach areas offer sunbeds, sun umbrellas, showers, taverns and small bars. And remote sections of the beach shore are great for badminton, volleyball and even soccer. Here you can rent a boat and go on a mini-cruise along the coast, discovering picturesque tiny deserted coves and uninhabited islets.
.The capital of the flat south is the town of Lefkimi, the second largest settlement on the island after Corfu. It is located in a fertile green valley surrounded by olive groves and grape plantations. It is a classic Greek town, whose appearance is formed by pretty stone houses, ancient churches and monasteries, beautiful squares and narrow streets.
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6 km from Lefkimi, at the southernmost tip of the island, lies the resort town of Kavos, which is the true center of Corfu’s outdoor activities and nightlife.
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Beyond, a coastal path leads you through the unspoiled countryside around the village of Spartera, from which you can reach the picturesque cliffs of Cape Asprokavos and the nearby monastery of Arcudillas in half an hour. Here you can spend a day on a deserted beach or walk to the wild coast of Ayia Gordis Paleochoriou.
.The southernmost tip of Corfu is very popular with yachtsmen and windsurfers. They love this corner for the constant winds and the picturesque view of the coast.
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North of Corfu Island
The north of Corfu is famous for its unique landscape, with its picturesque wooded mountains and rocky coastline giving it a special flavor. Some places are not suitable for all beach lovers, but there are enough resort villages, charming pebble bays, and the sea is amazingly clean.
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The resort of Nissaki, nestled at the foot of Mount Pantokrator, also boasts marvelous pebble beaches and a clear azure sea. The road leading from here to Kassiopi goes uphill, and here you can see a wonderful panorama: on the left side – Mount Pantokrator, the highest point on the island (914 meters), and on the right – the mountainous shores of Albania. From the top of the mountain, where a small cafe is located, you can enjoy a stunning view not only of the whole island: on clear days you can see the Italian coast, despite the fact that it is 130 km away from Corfu.
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The village of Kassiopi is located on the site of a former Roman settlement where Cicero and Ptolemy visited. Nero himself came to these parts to play the lyre in front of the temple of Zeus, and the inhabitants crowned him with a laurel wreath. Today in Kassiopi you can visit the ruins of a medieval fort and the church of Panayia Kasopitra, built in 1580 on the site where the first church of Corfu stood.
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At the northernmost tip of the island are the resorts of Roda, with one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island, and Sidari, whose sandy shoreline sits at the foot of cliffs mottled with grottoes. Here you can take a boat to the Love Canal or reach the miniature fishing islet of Ericus, where there is a small hotel.
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Western part of Corfu Island
In the afternoon, drive up to Pelekas (3km up the hill) to admire the delightful scenery at sunset.
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North of Pelekas is the resort of Ermones. Its sandy beach, located under a rocky cliff, is surrounded by forest. It is home to a golf club, Corfu Golf, which attracts fans of the status game from all over Europe.
. Meat dishes are worth tasting in the taverns. Beef and rabbit stewed in pots with wine and flavored with a whole host of spices are very popular. Meat cooked according to an ancient recipe on a spit rotating over smoldering charcoal also pleases gourmets. All dishes are served with the freshest bread and, of course, olives, which are the No. 1 treat here. Corfu has excellent dairy products – yogurts, a variety of cheeses.
Where to stay
Corfu is a world famous resort, so all the famous chain hotels are represented here. In addition, in Corfu you can stay in small cozy hotels, apartments, campsites. The price traditionally depends on the proximity to the sea.
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How to get there
Tourists from Russia, as a rule, get to Corfu by charter flights. They depart from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and also in season there are flights from some other major cities.
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