EXPLORE / CORFU
TRACING THE UNIQUE CHARM OF CORFU TOWN
More closely resembling the small capital of an entire country than that of an island, Corfu Town never fails to seduce all who visit it.
IMBUED WITH GRACE and elegance, historic Corfu Town (also known as Kerkyra) is found in the middle of the island’s east coast. The name Corfu [“peaks”] refers to its twin hills, each topped by a massive fortress built to withstand the Ottoman sieges of the 16th century. Built on a promontory, the town has a unique architecture that reflects the various influences – Venetian, French and English – that have left their mark on the island. This blend of different styles has lent Corfu Town
a unique charm and character. Palaces, fortresses, austere public buildings from the Venetian rule combine with lines of drying washing that hang above tiny alleyways and small secluded squares. Indeed, a walk through the maze of narrow cobbled streets known as “kantounia” will make you feel as if you’ve traveled to Genoa or Naples. There are also numerous stately attractions, such as the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, Liston Arcade, the Reading Society, the Catholic Cathedral, the Ioni-
an Parliament and the Kapodistrias family mansion, as well as arcades, parks, fortifications and monuments – all lending Corfu a certain kind of grandeur more reminiscent of the confident air of the capital of a country rather than that of an island. But one thing is for sure – whether ambling down alleyways in search of hidden architectural gems or drinking an aperitif in one of the town’s stylish cafes or hotels, Corfu Town can’t help but make you feel like you’ve traveled in time.
Left: View of the Old Venetian Castle. Right page, from top: Corfu Town features majestic stately homes with interesting details. Birds eye view of Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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