St. Spiridon - The Patron Saint:

The Patron Saint of Corfu is St.Spiridon. Spiridon was brought up as a shepherd on Cyprus. He first became a monk, then a bishop and many minor miracles had been credited to him before his death in 350 AD. When it was discovered that his remains had not decayed he was taken to Constantinople but was later smuggled out, along with the remains of St. Theodora, before the Turkish occupation of 1453. Unceremoniously strapped to a donkey the remains arrived in Corfu in 1456.

This church is undoubtedly the most famous of all the island’s churches and houses the relics of this saint who is credited with saving the islanders from famine, various plagues, invasions and other disasters. On special days of the calendar the mummified remains of St Spyridon are paraded around the town with much pomp and ceremony. The actual casket containing his remains is exposed annually on St.Spyridon’s Day, which falls on the 12th December, at Easter and on 11th August. In the church the casket is situated to the right of the altar, in a small chapel of its own.

The tall, red-domed church is like no other on the island and is a famous landmark of Corfu Town. You will find that most families in Corfu will have at least one family member called Spiros, named after the Patron Saint. On entering all churches in Corfu, as in the rest of Greece, it is important to be dressed respectfully.

The Liston and the Esplanade:

The Esplanade is a charming area of Corfu Town, an urban open space for relaxed promenading, reading or gossiping over Greek coffee. At the northern section of the Esplanade is the terrace of arcaded buildings known as the Liston, which was built by the French in the style of the Parisian rue de Rivoli. This is a very smart area of the Esplanade and looks out over the wide green space which is used for cricket matches, a legacy of the British. At this end you will also find the impressive Palace of St. Michael and St. George, which houses a collection of Oriental Art, and is a most striking relic of the 50 year presence by the British on Corfu.

Here is a perfect spot to relax and have a drink and to watch the world go by from many stylish cafes and restaurants. At the southern end of the Esplanade you will find a garden area which is landscaped with flowerbeds and a fountain and also an elegant bandstand where you may be lucky enough to find one of the town’s brass bands performing on a Sunday afternoon.

The Old Fort:

Towering proudly, just beyond the Esplanade, the Old Fort was erected around the 6th century to protect against raiders and has twin peaks which offer panoramic views of the capital. There is a small Byzantine museum to visit and see the fort’s pretty boat-lined moat. Rebuilding was done over the centuries and the fortifications that survive today were built between 1558 and 1588. Across the connecting bridge just beyond the arched entrance to the fortress is the old Church of the Madonna of the Carmelites, in which various exhibitions are occasionally held.

The New Fortress:

Now a naval base, the New Fortress was built around the 16th century. The massive outer works of the building were built by the Venetians but the buildings that survive within the walls, a maze of tunnels, chambers and stairways were added by the British. Public entrance is via steep stone steps that lead up from the far end of the square past the Roman Catholic Church of Tenedos. Improved facilities for the visitor include a café bar and an exhibition centre.

Museums:

For people who prefer sightseeing to shopping there are many museums to visit around the town. Amongst others are the Museum of Asiatic Art, at the Palace of St. Michael and St. George and the Municipal Art Gallery. Visit the Paper Money museum in St. Spiridon Square to see an extensive display of Greek banknotes and of course St. Spiridon church itself, the most famous of all the churches in Corfu and well worth a visit. As in all churches in Corfu and the rest of Greece it is important to be dressed appropriately on entering. The Byzantine Museum houses a beautiful collection of icons and paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries.

The Archaeological Museum contains wonderful delights such as the famous Gorgon pediment, from the 6th century, a beautiful limestone sculpture of the Lion of Menekrates and other treasures such as classical pottery, some excellent tomb monuments and Bronze Age artefacts as well as an impressive collection of coins dating from the 6th to the 3rd centuries BC. Located just a short walk from the Esplanade, on a side street next door to the Corfu Palace Hotel, this museum is open daily, 08:30 to 15:00, except Mondays. You will need a good street map and a guide to make it easier for you to find the streets where these museums are located. Pop into any good bookshop, of which there are many in the town, or you may even find them at the street kiosks.

The Old Town:

Otherwise known as “Campiello,” this area is the fascinating maze of narrow streets, alleyways and steps that are squeezed into the north-eastern part of the town. You will need a map to show you exactly which area it is in. Situated between the Old Fort and the Old Port, it is like a miniature Venice with much of its appeal being the residential atmosphere. In centuries gone by this area was surrounded by city walls, long since torn down, but the only way to expand the living quarters was to go upwards. Therefore it is full of high buildings and you can often see laundry strung across the alleyways. Set in the Plateia Kremasti is the 17th century Venetian Well, where you can find one of Corfu Town’s best restaurants. This is a lovely part of the town worth visiting.

Churches:

As previously mentioned, the church that stands out above the rest on Corfu is the famous church dedicated to St. Spiridon, the island’s Patron Saint. The red-domed bell-tower of the church is the tallest on the island and can be spotted rising above the rooftops from many parts of the town. It was built in 1590 to house the mummified remains of this beloved saint. In honour of St. Spiridon many families on the island have at least one member called Spiros. There are churches in all of the villages across the island and if you make time to travel around it is well worth having a look at some of them.

There is a small Catholic community and services are held at the beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral situated in the Town Hall Square in Corfu Town, quite close to the Esplanade.

There is also a little Anglican church, the Holy Trinity in Corfu Town and English services are held on Sundays. This church is very much involved in the local community and often holds little functions to raise money and awareness for good causes. At Christmastime, Carol singing and other services are arranged.

In the old part of the Town there is a synagogue for the small Jewish population.

Achilleon Palace:

One of the island’s grandest buildings, it stands on the hills close to the village of Gastouri some 10 km south of Corfu Town. There are some excursions that take you to the Achilleon, and it is easily reached by car, as it is signposted from the town. Alternatively, take the blue bus from San Rocco Square.

On a visit to the island in the 1860s the beautiful Empress Elizabeth of Austria fell in love with this part of Corfu and after much unhappiness and the tragedy of losing her only son, she returned to Corfu and purchased the land in 1890. The building is a mixture of different styles of classical architecture and was designed by two Italian architects. The idea was conceived by the Empress as a tribute to her spiritual hero Achilles. The building was filled with statues, paintings and 19th century furnishings.

Tragically, 6 years after completion of the palace in 1892, an assassin killed the Empress on the quayside at Lake Geneva. In 1908, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany bought the property partly to pursue his hobby of archaeology. Dignitaries were invited from all over Europe to attend parties and as most arrived by boat a special bridge was built from the seashore, across the coastal road, directly to the palace, the ruins of which remain today. The Kaiser also erected a huge, bronze statue of Achilles at the far end of the gardens.

After leaving Corfu around 1914, the Kaiser never returned and after being used as a military hospital during World War I, the palace eventually became the property of the Greek government. In 1962, after being unused for so long it was converted into a casino, during which time it was featured in the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only”. The palace was finally opened to the public in the 1990s after the casino was closed down. This wonderful place and its beautiful gardens is now a major tourist attraction.

Kanoni, Vlacherna and Mouse Island:

Once a quiet, green peninsula, Kanoni attracted many visitors who came to admire one of the most famous views on the island: the two islets sitting in the lagoon, Vlacherna and Mouse Island, also known as Pontikonissi. These two pretty little islands are now overlooked by new hotels and housing areas and while Corfu’s airport is just nearby, the picture-postcard view of the islets remains intact. In fact, whilst flying into and out of Corfu you will get a fabulous birds-eye view of, probably, the most photographed sight on the island. The little island of Vlacherna is actually linked to the mainland of Corfu by a causeway and is the home of a tiny, white convent. Mouse Island is a little further out in the bay, a short boat ride away. An even smaller, 13th century chapel can be found there, hidden amongst the cypress trees.

Mon Repos:

This elegant villa was built in 1831 for the British High Commissioner Frederick Adam, as a summer residence. It later became the property of the Greek royal family. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip was born here in 1921. In recent years the house lay neglected as legal disputes dragged on regarding ownership between the former King Constantine of Greece and the Municipality of Corfu. The grounds of the property are open to the public and you can see the impressive remains of a Doric temple, dating back to around 500 BC.

Paleopolis:

Close to Mon Repos, on the Kanoni peninsula, lie the ruins of Paleopolis Church. The 5th century basilica is the oldest church on the island. Not far from here you will also find the remains of the 6th century BC, Temple of Artemis, from which the Gorgon pediment was recovered. This is now housed in the Archaeological museum.