Corfu has an unusually long and colorful history for an island so small. Evidence of inhabitancy dates back to 1300 BC by the Phaecians, the two most significant reasons being its fertility and geographical location. The islands plentiful supply of food and water combined with mild weather made it an easy place to prosper. Located between mainland Greece and Italy it was right in the middle of two major civilizations and unfortunately the best stopping point for all ships and invaders.

This made Corfu the location of endless battles right up to the Second World War. What survived until today is mostly from the 16th century onwards, mostly of Venetian origin, with some French and British influences, precious little from its 3000 year old history, but sufficient to take us back in time, even if it s just for a day or two.

There are many historical buildings to discover:

• • Achillion Palace, Mon Repo Palace, Paleopolis, The Old Forteres, City Palace, The New Foteress, Town Hall, Ioannis Kapeodistrias, Spianada, Ionian Academy, Alkinos Harbour, Angelokastro, Gardaki Castle, Kassiopi Forteress, Kaisers Throne, The Venetian Shipyard, Kardiki Spring…

To know more, please follow this link: http://in-corfu.com/index_historic.html

The two most well now are The old Forteress and The New Forteress :

La vieille Forteresse

The Old Castle is the best known and most famous castle in Corfu. Its history is closely connected with history of the island. It is situated on a rocky peninsula and has two peaks. The castle is 600 m long and 200 m wide and dates back to the Byzantine period. The Byzantines were the first to fix the eastern top of the Acropolis and named it the Sea-Tower. At those times the city of “Koryfo” was founded. One of the versions of the Island’s name says that it originates from the word “koryfi” meaning peaks. But the main fortification was built by the Venetians (1402-1797). The peninsula was separated from the island by a moat and two enclosure-walls were built in front of it. Under the castle there was a labyrinth of arched ways and tunnels up to the top to the rock which formed a perfect underground connecting system.

The buildings inside the castle were constructed by the Venetians and served as residential premises for military, political and aristocratic people. Unfortunately none of the buildings survived until today and the buildings which you will see in the castle today were constructed by the British much later.

In 1864 the Greek flag finally was placed over the Old Castle after centuries of occupation that the island of Corfu lived through.

Today it is a pride of the locals enjoyed greatly by thousands of visitors every year, the place where international and local artists arrange their concerts throughout the summer months, a part of the Ionian Academy is also situated in the Old Castle.

The New Forteress

La nouvelle forteresse – Corfou

Not far from the old harbour there is the New Castle. The construction of the castle began in 1577 under the Venetians and it was completed together with the town wall in 1588.

This castle is much smaller than the old one and not as high. It consists of two levels. The lower level protected the harbour, the higher one the city. In order to get invincible, a deep and broad moat was built between Avrami hill and the castle.

The castle itself had no dwellings, except for the commander’s and a few aristocrats’ houses. The French and British completed constructing the Castle.

The New Castle was considered to be an architectural miracle those times. In 1716 it hindered the Turks to conquer Corfu and so it guarded the freedom of the Western world.

Today two well preserved through the centuries doors with ten Venetian arms can still be seen there

Discover also the different museums of the island:

Achilleon Palace

The Achilleion Palace can be found in the Village of Gastouri, 10 km’s south west of the town of Corfu.

The stunning appearance of this stately palace takes the visitor back in history to when the palace was inhabited by two great figures from European history whose only common bond was their adoration for Corfu, Greece and its culture, Empress Elisabeth of Austria (known as ‘Sissi’) and Kaiser William II of Germany.

Empress Elisabeth built the palace to escape the tragedies of her life, and William II purchased it after her untimely death. William II, however, never had a chance to enjoy the palace’s beauty because of a war that broke out, from his own doing.

During the First and Second World War the palace was abandoned and inevitably pillaged by the enemy. After years of rebuilding and restoration, the palace was finally restored to its former beauty.