Corfu, also known as Kerkyra in Greek, is a city and former independent area on the island of Corfu in the Ionian Islands of Greece. After a government change in 2019, Corfu became part of the larger area called Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands. It is the main city of this area and also serves as the capital of the Corfu region. The city has a population of about 23,541 people, while the entire island has a population of approximately 101,600 people. Corfu is an important place for tourism and has been a key location in Greek history for many years.

History

The ancient city of Corfu, known as Korkyra, participated in the Battle of Sybota, which started the Peloponnesian War. According to Thucydides, this battle was the largest naval fight between Greek city-states at that time. Thucydides also noted that Korkyra was one of the three major naval powers in fifth-century-BC Greece, along with Athens and Corinth. Medieval castles built in important places across the city remain today as reminders of conflicts during the Middle Ages with pirates and the Ottomans. The city became known as Kastropolis, meaning "Castle City," due to its two castles.

From 1386 to 1797, Corfu was ruled by Venetian nobles. Much of the city shows this period, when the island was part of the Republic of Venice, with tall buildings on narrow streets. The Old Town of Corfu clearly reflects Venetian influence. The city faced four major sieges in 1537, 1571, 1573, and 1716. Each time, the city's strong defenses proved effective, largely because of the powerful Venetian fortifications. Writer Will Durant stated that Corfu owed its status as the only part of Greece never conquered by the Ottomans to the Republic of Venice.

In 2007, the old town of Corfu was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The municipal unit of Corfu city covers an area of 41.905 km² (16.180 sq mi) and has a population of 40,047 people. Other large towns in the area, besides Corfu/Kérkyra, include Kanáli (4,786), Potamós (3,840), Kontókali (1,660), Alepoú (3,149), and Gouviá (838).

Palaiopolis

In the city of Corfu, the ruins of the ancient city of Korkyra, also called Palaiopolis, include ancient temples found near the location of the palace of Mon Repos. This palace was built on the ruins of Palaiopolis. The temples are named Kardaki Temple, Temple of Artemis, and Temple of Hera. Hera's Temple is located on the western part of Mon Repos, near Kardaki Temple and to the northwest. It is about 700 meters to the southeast of the Temple of Artemis in Corfu. Hera's Temple was built on the top of Analipsis Hill. Because of its high position, it could be easily seen by ships sailing near the ancient waterfront of Korkyra.

Architecture

In many areas of the town, you can see houses from the Venetian period, showing signs of past grandeur. The Palace of St. Michael and St. George, built in 1815 by Sir Thomas Maitland (1759–1824; Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands), is a large building made of white Maltese stone. Near Gastouri is the Achilleion, a palace designed in the Pompeian style. This palace was built for Empress Elizabeth of Austria and later bought in 1907 by German Emperor William II.

Of the thirty-seven Greek churches, the most important include the cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of the Cave; St. Spiridon’s Church, which holds the tomb of the island’s patron saint; and the suburban church of St. Jason and St. Sosipater, believed to be the oldest on the island. The city is home to both a Greek and a Roman Catholic archbishop. It also has a gymnasium, a theatre, an agricultural and industrial society, and a library and museum. These buildings were once part of a university founded in 1823 by Frederick North, 5th Earl of Guilford (1766–1827). He was the first chancellor of the university in 1824. The university was later closed when the British protectorate ended.

According to the ICOMOS evaluation, the old town of Corfu was added to the World Heritage List. Experts noted that about 70% of the buildings from before the 20th century were built during the British period. During World War II, German bombing destroyed many blocks in the Old Town. These areas were later rebuilt in the 1960s and 1970s. The city’s layout and structure, including its Venetian fortifications, make Corfu a key example of a fortified maritime city.

Layout

The town of Corfu is located on the wide part of a peninsula. The end of the peninsula near the Venetian citadel (Greek: Παλαιό Φρούριο) is separated from the rest of the peninsula by a man-made ditch. This ditch was created in a natural gully and has a saltwater channel at the bottom, which also acts as a small harbor called Contra-Fossa. Because the town was built inside fortifications, the cobblestone streets of Corfu, known as "kantounia" (καντούνια), are often narrow and sometimes too narrow for vehicles. There is a walkway along the shore toward Garitsa Bay (Γαρίτσα), and another walkway between the town and the citadel called Liston (Λιστόν). This area has many luxurious restaurants and European-style bistros. The name Liston has several possible origins: it may come from a Venetian word meaning an evening walk, as other Venetian cities also have a square with this name. It could also refer to a special area reserved for nobles listed in a book called the Libro d'Oro. The citadel was shown on the back of the Greek 500 drachmas banknote from 1983 to 2001.

Culture

The city of Corfu has a long history of creating and enjoying fine arts. The Philharmonic Society of Corfu is an important part of this history. The Museum of the Philharmonic Society of Corfu displays the musical heritage of Corfu in detail.

Sports

Corfu is the only place in Greece where cricket is popular. Cricket was brought to Corfu during British rule. The Hellenic Cricket Federation is located in Corfu, and it is the only Greek sports federation based outside Athens. Most Greek cricket clubs are in Corfu, and they compete in the Greek Championship. Notable cricket clubs in Corfu include Kerkyraikos G.S. (KGS), founded in 1893; GSK Vyron, founded in 1925; and AO Phaeax, founded in 1976.

In other sports, Corfu has two teams that play in higher-level leagues. The football club AOK Kerkyra, originally named "AO Kerkyra" and founded in 1969, plays in Alpha Ethniki. The water polo club NAO Kerkyra (NAOK), founded in 1935, previously competed in A1 Ethniki Polo.

Climate

Corfu City has a type of climate known as Csa, which is common in the Mediterranean region. Summers are hot and usually dry. During these months, the air often feels humid, and daytime temperatures can reach 33°C (91°F). Winters are mild and receive a lot of rain, with average temperatures around 10°C (50°F).

Hellenic National Meteorological Service

Government

Before 1866, Corfu had no mayors. This list begins in 1866 and continues through the years.

• Nikolaos V. Manesis (1866 to 1870)
• Christodoulos M. Kiriakis (1870 to 1879)
• Georgios Theotokis (1879 to 1885)
• Ioannis Padovas (1885 to 1887)
• Michael Theotokis (1887 to 1895)
• Angelos Psoroulas (1895 to 1899)
• Dimitrios Kollas (1899 to 1911)
• Ioannis Mavrogiannis (1914 to 1925)
• Spyridon Kollas (1925 to 1951)
• Stamatios Desyllas (1951 to 1955)
• Maria Desylla-Kapodistria (1956 to 1959), the first female mayor in Greece.
• Panagiotis Zafiropoulos (1959 to 1964)
• Spyros Rath (1964 to 1967)
• Municipal councils (1967 to 1974)
• Konstantinos Alexopoulos (1974 to 1975)
• Spyros Rath (1975 to 1978)
• Ioannis Kourkoulos (1979 to 1990)
• Chrisanthos Sarlis (1991 to 2002)
• Alexandros Mastoras (2003 to 2006)
• Sotirios Micallef (2007 to 2010)
• Ioannis Trepeklis (2011 to 2014)
• Kostas Nikolouzos (2014 to 2019)
• Merope Hydraiou (2019 to present)

Gallery

• An old drawing of Corfu from 1487
• The bell tower of Saint Spyridon Church, which honors the city's patron saint
• Panagia Mandrakina
• Saint George Temple located at the Old Fortress
• Mon Repos
• The front entrance of the Achilleion Palace
• A painting titled "Carnival in Kerkyra" by artist Charalambos Pachis
• The Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
• The bell tower of the Annunziata/Lontsiada Catholic Church, also known as Evangelistria
• Panagia Spiliotissa Cathedral