Corfu
Corfu is the most northern island of the Ionian
Islands located at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea. The distance to the
mainland is only 2 kilometres away.
The name of the island is associated with the
name beloved woman of Poseidon – beautiful nymph Kerkyra, who was hid from her
father Asopus on this beautiful island.
Infrastructure
Kerkyra (or Corfu) has one of the most advanced
infrastructures among all Greek islands. There is an international airport. In
addition, a road network connects all local settlements; bus service operates on
a regular schedule. There are ferries departing from the capital of the island to
the mainland and Ionian Islands.
Today Corfu has numerous hotels, many of which
have established international hotel chains. It has the casino, riding school
and famous 18-hole golf course designed by renowned British architect Donald
Harradinom. Since the beginning of the XIX century, the islanders began to play
cricket.
Population of Corfu produces olive oil, wine, cheese
and local specialties: ginger beer and liquor “kum quat” made from the fruit of
the Japanese citrus tree Japonica, which was brought here by the British in
1846.
Since the days of Venetian rule, the local
population particularly liked horn music. In summer, local music bands travel
on the island with concerts, there are opera and theatre, and in the holidays
the island hosts colourful parades and carnivals.
The most interesting are the Easter holidays.
Good Saturday at Corfu (in Old Town) revives the old tradition of “Botides”
when people drop huge clay pots full of water from the balconies of their
houses down the road.
The saint patron of the city is St. Spyridon, in
whose honour there is a procession conducted four times a year, in memory of his
miraculous intervention in the most difficult moments in life of the island.
Nature
The average summer temperature is +30°C. In
winter, it does not fall below +10°C. The length of the island from north to
south is 120 kilometres and from east to west is from 4 to 40 kilometres.
The northern part of the island has the majestic
mount of Pantokrator. Its top offers a wonderful panoramic view of the whole island
of Corfu.
In ancient times, local people could hide
themselves from pirates in the inaccessible gorges and secluded coves of the
mountainous parts of the island. When the threat had disappeared, the
population descended into the valley. Today, you can explore many slopes and
picturesque villages with a camera.
If you advance to the south, the terrain becomes
more plain. Beautiful sandy beaches on the island are combined with rocky
headlands and there are ancient monasteries on the slopes of the mountains. Some
coves are accessible only by sea, so that visitors can enjoy they and take a
walk on a yacht.
Diving enthusiasts will discover unique beauty
of underwater landscapes with caves, reefs, canyons and underwater maze.
History and landmarks
The most beautiful cities in Europe are
considered those that have appearance allowing tracing of changes in historical
epochs. Corfu has potential to capture the imagination of its many visitors.
In seeking protection from the raids of pirates,
Corfu asked for protection in Venice and was subsequently under its
protectorate for over 400 years. That is why the architecture of the capital of
the island is dominated by a Venetian style, with luxurious Venetian mansions
perfectly combined with English, German and French buildings, which witnessed
periods when the island had repeatedly passed from hand to hand and each people
gave its indelible contribution to its unique eclectic look.
The local architectural gems are the survived
summer residence of the King of Greece called “Mon Repo” (my rest) and the
palace of Achille, which belonged to the Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria
(Sisi).
After multiple turns of history, Corfu has
become a unique cosmopolitan centre, which today attracts celebrities from
around the world.
At various times, the Roman orator Cicero
visited the island. Also, the infamous Emperor Nero, Napoleon I Bonaparte, Emperor
of Germany Wilhelm II, English naturalist Gerald Durrell and Irish philosopher
and writer Oscar Wilde visited the island.
Nowadays, Kerkyra is often visited by Hollywood
actor Anthony Hopkins and musician Jon Bon Jovi; Lord Rothschild and Russian
oligarch Roman Abramovich own properties on the island.
