Corfu Book Album
The Panorama of Corfu
Regardless how you look at Corfu, it is a DREAM.
Even through the Internet its visit is MAGIC.
Surfing the Internet introduces you to its BRILLIANCE.
It makes you “travel” and “walk” down the kantounia, “swim” at its shores, “fall under the spell” of the island’s beauties and therefore, from an electronic visitor you will become… a physical one too.
Because that’s how you will “experience” its ALLUREMENT.
Make it your own!
Prologue
Corfu stands out at all levels. From its geographical shape to its history and culture. The Turks besieged it twice but they could not occupy it and alter it. The culture was shaped by the western style and the love of the Corfiots for their land. Noisy and quiet, old and new, picturesque and modern, Corfu enchants the visitor.
The Cape of Saint Isidore or Kaposidero.
Esplanade (Spianada), the Moat and the Old Fort.
Make it your own!
Spread out laudries and hearts… in Corfu.
The Monastery of Vlahernon and the Monastery of Pantocrator in Pontikonisi.
The Queen of the Ionian Sea
Corfu is known as “The island of the eternal homecoming”. If you visit this place once, you will surely desire to come back. Not only physically, but also with your mind and your soul. The “Queen of the Ionian Sea” attracts you with her romanticism and her eroticism. With her history, civilization and remarkable people. In other words, with her glamour.
For about 4 months a year, flamingos leave their “mark” on the island.
Apart from the ecological interest, the Korission Lagoon has an archaeological interest too.
Make it your own!
The fish farms in the Halikiopoulos Lagoon renders the bulk of demand for fish in Corfu.
The narrow kantounia (alleyways) in Campiello are the “identity” of Corfu.
Historical Outline
The beauties of Corfu made it a “bone of contention” for many nations. Barbarians but also civilized applicant conquerors spent time, money and forces to conquer it. The Corfiots preserved their spirit free. Inventive and indomitable, they kept their identity intact. And therefore they hold an exceptional place in history.
A gravure of the Old Fortress and the Acropolis – Honri Lemen (1699)
A gravure of the Old Fortress and the town of Corfu (1716)
Make it your own!
A gravure of the Old Fortress and the Acropolis – Christoph Weigel (1720)
The Old Fortress and the Town of Corfu (17th century)
Monuments and Forts
One of the great chapters of Corfu are its historical monuments. The people, who made them, respected the natural beauty of the island. That is why their work complements its beauty. Ancient temples, Roman baths, forts, busts, majestic palaces and mansions attract the visitors. The rotundas and arches complement the picture.
The Temple of Kardaki is an important archaeological site.
Part of the ancient wall is the Tower of Nerantziha.
Make it your own!
Has been built three times, but only its ruins are preserved today.
On a string of land that enters in the sea is located Aggelokastro.
Coat of Arms
One of the great chapters of Corfu are its historical monuments. The people, who made them, respected the natural beauty of the island. That is why their work complements its beauty. Ancient temples, Roman baths, forts, busts, majestic palaces and mansions attract the visitors. The rotundas and arches complement the picture.
Artavani
Kallergi
Digoti
Make it your own!
Flabouriari
Kollita
Politi
Old Photos
Corfu doesn’t enchant only the visitor. It also enchants the camera lens. Not only with its landscapes and monuments. The daily life of the Corfiots in earlier times is also one of the features captured by the fans of the island. Their professional activities, habits and customs were recorded in old black and white photos.
1838: The intersection of Michael Theotokis and Nikiforos Theotokis Street known today as “Pinia”.
1891: Achilleion, the -missing nowadays- statue of the fairy of “Peris”.
Make it your own!
1902: The Municipal Theatre.
1907: The northern end of Liston in the early 20th century.
Museums
The past can teach us. And the best place for this “lesson” is the museums. The brilliant antiquity, the Roman opulence, the cosmic Byzantium “talk” about their history. Cretan icon painters, great scholars, the ancient gods and artists give an appointment with the visitors and “inform” them about their offering and their course in time.
Limestone pediment with a representation of a Dionysian symposium. God Dionysos and a teenager.
The only mortal Medusa, Gorgon and her son, Chrysaor, next to her.
Make it your own!
Chinese fabric with a golden-weaved dragon. It is dated back to the Qing Dynasty.
The halls of the Museum of Paleopolis with paintings and furniture.
Churches and Monasteries
Many pages in the chapter “Corfu architecture” are full of churches and monasteries. Built by individuals, nestled in alleys or lost in the rural green give their tone. The deep faith and the need of the Corfiots to worship the Divine created imposing cathedrals, revered chapels, towering belfries, Byzantine churches.
Good fights Evil on “Ourania” of Saint Spyridon.
The oldest church of the Town of Corfu is Saint John the Baptist.
Make it your own!
In a picturesque square lies the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary – Panagia Kremasti.
The architecture of a Catholic church is apparent at the entrance of the temple.
Cultural Events
Active, cheerful, extroverted are the people of Corfu, this is why their celebrations have a special “color”. From the solemnity of the religious events to the carnival of Corfu, the island shows its festive face. The sounds of the philharmonic bands, the dances of the cheerleaders, the petegoletsa (gossip), the barcarolle, the pitchers, astonish the visitor and reveal another aspect of the island.
The Carnival has its own… color in Corfu.
The pitchers are thrown on Holy Saturday to scare the evil spirits.
Make it your own!
The philharmonic bands are never… jobless.
There is not even one Corfiot who doesnt sing serenades.
Painting – Sculpture – Engraving
Many cultures have met in the Ionian Islands. The Venetians, the French, the British have influenced all forms of Art and created new trends. The creators distanced themselves slowly from the Byzantine models and joined the Western concepts. A large part of this shift was due to the settlement of Cretan painters, when their island was under the Ottoman Rule.
The litany of Saint Spyridon in Esplanade (Spianada) in Corfu. Gravure (1821)
The City and the port of Corfu from the island of Vido. Gravure (1821)
Make it your own!
The feast of Saint Jason and Sosipatros. Gravure (1821)
The Monastery of Paleokastritsa. Lithograph (1863)
Statues
Many people worthy to be honored were born, came from or lived in Corfu. Greeks, philhellenes, foreigners who contributed in the development of the island, the Ionian Islands and Greece. Heroes, priests, politicians, scholars, officials “are“ among us with statues or busts made by the next generations to keep them alive in our memories.
The statue of Marshal Schulenburg.
Lord Adam built the first aqueduct and secured the city with water.
Make it your own!
John Kapodistrias in Esplanade (Spianada), in Ano Platia.
The first president of the Reading Club Petros Armenis-Vrailas.
Old Town
Nature, architecture and memories come together in this place. The two Forts, the Palace and Liston with Spianada beguile the visitor. In Campiello and in other places as well you “encounter” the past with the arches and rotundas. In Paleopolis and Mon Repo you can “talk” with history. Facing the statues and busts you can learn who contributed in creating this magic.
The bay of Garitsa from the Old Fortress.
Utilitarian spaces for the needs of life in the Old Fortress.
Make it your own!
Old Palaces of Saints Michael and George.
The Church of Vlachernon and the Pontikonisi that Homer claims to be Odysseus’ ship.
Achilleio
Corfu brings serenity. This is the serenity sought by the Empress of Austria Elizabeth, Sissy. A woman with a wounded soul, who wanted to heal her wounds. So she created another gem on the Island: Achilleio. The palace dedicated to Achilles. Kaiser Wilhelm II also left his “signature”.
The imposing Achilleio was built with expenses of Elizabeth.
The trial of Christ from the dome of the Chapel.
Make it your own!
The “Triumph of Achilles” adorns the second floor.
Statues of great artistic value, the three Graces and the Nine Muses.
Northeast Corfu
Impressive is the Kapodistrias Museum in Evropouli. The cosmic Kontokali, a Venetian imprint in Gouvia. The overgrown Dasia with Kommeno. Kastelino has also a Gallery and the Ipsos with the “golden mile”. Nisaki and the bays of Kalami and Kouloura. The beach of Agios Stefanos and Kassiopi with the Roman castle and the worldwide known Acharavi. The traditional mansions of Perithia. The imposing Pantocrator with the traditional villages.
A “magnet” for sailboats the marina in Gouvia.
The wooden pier in Ipsos is ideal for boats to dock, for fishing and games.
Make it your own!
A pool overlooking the sea in the hotel in Kalami.
The courtyard of the Monastery of Pantocrator.
Northwest Corfu
Beautiful beaches, wild rocks, castles, lakes, rivers, mountains, mythology. Roda, Sidari with the Canal d’Amour. Bloomy is Arilas, deep blue is Agios Stefanos. Ai-Giorgis with the stunning sunset. The “Fortress of Angels”, Angelokastro. The bays-ornaments of Paleokastritsa. Amazing is the view in Lakones. In Ermones Nausicaa found Odysseus
And for sunbathing at the “Canal d’ Amour” in Sidari.
A… Drastis who we admire and we are happy to see.
Make it your own!
The “language” mountain protects the beach of Ai-Giorgis of Pagon.
The golf course in the Ropas Valley is located where a lake used to be.
Southwest Corfu
The throne of Kaiser in Pelekas. The golden sand in Kontogialos. Sinarades with the 12 churches. Ai-Gordis with Ortholitho and Megalo Tholeto. The steeple of chipped stone in Agios Nikolaos of Kato Garouna. Argyrades with the consecutive houses the “pasaentza” and embrasures. The dilapidated monastery of Panagia on the edge of Corfu, Arkoudilas.
Fine sand that stretches in a wide extent in Glyfada beach.
And the road to reach the “Kaiser’s Throne” and the excellent view.
Make it your own!
A picture is worth a thousand words in Ai-Gordis.
Sports and the shadow in Issos.
Southeast Corfu
Lefkimmi with the river-anchorage. Agnos with the old “canisters”. Notos with the islet Votserna. Vasilatika which once hosted the Emperor John VIII Palaeologus. The “Balcony of Corfu”, Chlomos. Moraitika with the Roman baths. Birthplace of Kapodistrias is Episkopiana. The olive of 2,500 years in age in Stroggili.
Tourists from around the world gather in Kavos.
Hot waters and a long beach in Moraitika.
Make it your own!
An international resort is Benitses with visitors from around the world.
The “Kaiser’s bridge” was constructed for the Emperor William.
Paxi and Antipaxos
Paxi is the love nest of Poseidon and Amphitrite. A tiny islet presenting enormous natural beauty. Gaios with the two islets – “guards”. Kipiadi with the largest beach of the “secret paradise” of the Ionian Sea. Planos with the sharp rocks surrounding it from three sides. Antipaxos of 5 square kilometers of deserted beaches.
The port of Gaios “embraced” by land.
Boats are necessary to visit the beaches of Paxi.
Make it your own!
The picturesque port of Loggos.
The time… of the sailing boats in Lakka.
Diapontian Islands
The islands that… belong to the West. “Being beyond the sea (diapontian)”, they are the “Guards” of Greece in the west. Lonely, quiet, green, remind us that paradise still exists. Traditional houses, small settlements picturesque chapels invite the “faithful”. Here Calypso held captive Odysseus for seven years. St. Nicholas petrified the pirate ship that came to plunder the chapel.
The visitor finds unique tranquility on Mathraki.
A beach where you can “read” the seabed in Othoni.
Make it your own!
A few houses, few people, a lot of greenery in Ereikousa.
Strange shaped rocks in the sea.
Buildings – “Landmarks”
Mansions with arches and balconies designed by enlightened architects. Manors that hosted great personalities of culture and Art. The residence of Kapodistrias. Staircases leading to attics with hidden secrets. Arcades and doors which travel you to the past and times of hegemony. Meeting the island through the sea and the “reading” of rocks.
Mansion Rikki with the balcony – “grandstand” for the jousts.
The sculptors have worked even more than… builders.
Make it your own!
And without a tiller the boat… berths with Corfu.
They are not on a boating, but fishing is a good pastime.
Colors and Fragrances
“The jasmines ducked for your sake”. “The red geranium drops its leaves”. One song, two verses that could be written for Corfu. Iris tries her best and complements the greenery with all the possible combinations of colors a flower may have. So “speak” the flowers on the island: with their colors and their fragrances.
The bougainvillea adds… color to the wall.
The butterfly helps in its way nature to remain mesmerizing.
Make it your own!
The jar adds its own touch to the garden.
In arid places sprout out sweet prickly pears.
Leisure and Sports
The blue sea and the greenery of the mountain fill the eye and soul. They do and something else though: they awaken the need for sports and games. In or on the water, with an inflatable mattress or a sailing boat, you get lost in relaxation. As you lose yourself when climbing up mountains or when you get involved with sports that you haven’t encounter anywhere else. Because Corfu is unique and in this field.
And from above you can see Corfu with a “parachute”.
Alternatively waterskiing can be done with one pedal.
Make it your own!
Cricket has been known in Corfu for 170 years.
The tennis courts are modern.
Taste… of Corfu
The culinary habits of every place follow its culture. And Corfu cannot be left behind. Subtle, thoughtful, “full” are the flavors of the traditional dishes. Therefore, whoever visits Corfu makes sure to take some recipes on his way back home. He takes along a part of himself which was left in Corfu.
The rustic rooster is one of two alternatives for pastitsada.
Most “full” is the taste in bianco codfish.
Make it your own!
One of the… hallmarks of Corfu is sykomaida.
Combination of an English recipe and the Corfiot taste is ginger beer.
Sunset
Even the sun… enjoys the sunsets of Corfu. Playing with the water, the mountains, the clouds like a painter. And it makes “paintings” that are kept ingrained in mind. It is not just the end of the day. It is the beginning of romanticism. And in Corfu romanticism never ends.
The sunset is nicer in real time than the photo.
Make it your own!
Epilogue
The island of eternal homecoming, Corfu.
Not just because if you visit it once you want to come back.
But because if you visit it, you will not want to leave the island.
Until we meet again.
Make it your own!
The Panorama of Corfu
Regardless how you look at Corfu, it is a DREAM.
Even through the Internet its visit is MAGIC.
Surfing the Internet introduces you to its BRILLIANCE.
It makes you “travel” and “walk” down the kantounia, “swim” at its shores, “fall under the spell” of the island’s beauties and therefore, from an electronic visitor you will become… a physical one too.
Because that’s how you will “experience” its ALLUREMENT.
Make it your own!
Prologue
Corfu stands out at all levels. From its geographical shape to its history and culture. The Turks besieged it twice but they could not occupy it and alter it. The culture was shaped by the western style and the love of the Corfiots for their land. Noisy and quiet, old and new, picturesque and modern, Corfu enchants the visitor.
The Cape of Saint Isidore or Kaposidero.
Esplanade (Spianada), the Moat and the Old Fort.
Make it your own!
Spread out laudries and hearts… in Corfu.
The Monastery of Vlahernon and the Monastery of Pantocrator in Pontikonisi.
The Queen of the Ionian Sea
Corfu is known as “The island of the eternal homecoming”. If you visit this place once, you will surely desire to come back. Not only physically, but also with your mind and your soul. The “Queen of the Ionian Sea” attracts you with her romanticism and her eroticism. With her history, civilization and remarkable people. In other words, with her glamour.
For about 4 months a year, flamingos leave their “mark” on the island.
Apart from the ecological interest, the Korission Lagoon has an archaeological interest too.
Make it your own!
The fish farms in the Halikiopoulos Lagoon renders the bulk of demand for fish in Corfu.
The narrow kantounia (alleyways) in Campiello are the “identity” of Corfu.
Historical Outline
The beauties of Corfu made it a “bone of contention” for many nations. Barbarians but also civilized applicant conquerors spent time, money and forces to conquer it. The Corfiots preserved their spirit free. Inventive and indomitable, they kept their identity intact. And therefore they hold an exceptional place in history.
A gravure of the Old Fortress and the Acropolis – Honri Lemen (1699)
A gravure of the Old Fortress and the town of Corfu (1716)
Make it your own!
A gravure of the Old Fortress and the Acropolis – Christoph Weigel (1720)
The Old Fortress and the Town of Corfu (17th century)
Monuments and Forts
One of the great chapters of Corfu are its historical monuments. The people, who made them, respected the natural beauty of the island. That is why their work complements its beauty. Ancient temples, Roman baths, forts, busts, majestic palaces and mansions attract the visitors. The rotundas and arches complement the picture.
The Temple of Kardaki is an important archaeological site.
Part of the ancient wall is the Tower of Nerantziha.
Make it your own!
Has been built three times, but only its ruins are preserved today.