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Corfu
Corfu, the wooded
isle of the Phaeacians, Odysseus' last stop on his long
journey home to Ithaca, is the best known of the Ionian
Islands.
It owes its sophistication and charm to the meshing of the
different civilizations that have occupied the island and to
the natural beauty with which it is so abundantly endowed.
On this cosmopolitan island, you'll be able to combine
relaxation with good times and a full nightlife, for Corfu
is an international tourist centre, which can satisfy the
demands of the most difficult visitor.
Corfu Town (Kerkira)
The capital of the
island is also called Corfu (Kerkira). It is built on a
promontory that projects into the sea and is separated into
a northern and a southern section. East of the northern part
lies the Old Fortress, cut off from the town by a moat. For
centuries all the popular of Corfu lived within this
citadel, which was founded by the Byzantines but greatly
expanded and strengthened by the Venetians.
The town of Corfu is made up of completely dissimilar
elements, left over from different civilizations. It
presents an enchanting picture with its broad streets and
spacious squares. The popular Spianada -the town "green" -
contrasting with its narrow back alleys paved with blocks of
stone (known as 'Kantounia'), houses with a strong Italian
influence, the famous Liston, a French arcade, traditional
Georgian mansions, a Byzantine church, Venetian monuments,
balconies with wrought-iron railings and window grilles.
Sightseeing in Town
• The
Archaeological Museum: tel.: 30680-38124
• The Byzantine Museum housed in the Church of the Panayia
Antivouniotissa (closed for the time being).
• The Museum of Oriental Art: tel.: 30443- 38124, in the
English Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
• The Town Nail, a superb example of Venetian architecture
built in 1683.
• The Byzantine church of Sts. Jason and Sosipater (12th
century) with fine frescoes.
• The church of Corfu's patron Saint Spyridon with its
valuable icons and collection of gold and silver ex voto
offerings.
• The Old Fort
• The New Fowl, constructed between 1576 and 1588 (not open
to the public)
• The Platytera Monastery with its rare post-Byzantine
icons.
Sightseeing on the Island
• Paleokastritsa,
26 kilometers west of Corfu town, a miniature earthly
paradise with its crystal clear waters, enchanting coves and
lush greenery growing right up to the sea.
• Angelokastro, near Paleokastritsa, a Byzantine fortress
dating from the 13th century.
• Pelekas, 13 kilometers west of the town, a lovely village
set on a rocky hill, whose summit - according to the
Corfiots say - is the best place to watch the sun go down.
Not far from Pelekas in the Ropa Valley is situated Corfu's
excellent golf course.
• Kanoni, 4 kilometers south of town is the most popular
spot on the Island. Here a narrow causeway leads across the
water to the Monastery of Vlacherna and from there one can
take a kayak to visit delightful Pondikonissi and its 13th
century church.
• Gastouri, a picturesque hill village, is the site of the
Achillion, the summer palace of the Empress Elizabeth of
Austria and the last Kaiser. The Palace has many beautiful
gardens ideal for a romantic walk. A part of it places an
important museum as well.
• Other sights not to be missed include, on the East Side of
the island Kessiopi, Ipsos, Dassia, Gouvia, Benitses,
Moraitika and Messongi. On its West Side Lake Korission (Limni
Korission), the only lake on the island.
• In the northern part of the island are the resorts of
Sidari, with its sandy beach, and Roda, whose beach is even
longer. From Sidari you can take a boat to the three
picturesque offshore islands of Erikoussa, Mathraki and
Othoni. Their sheltered anchorage are Ideal for swimming and
sunbathing.
• But Corfu also has another side: a vital traditional facet
to its personality still very much alive in the costumes of
its village women and in its local festivals. Fine examples
of folk art and crafts are displayed in shops all over the
island: hand-woven textiles and embroideries with intricate
designs, objects of all kinds carved out of olive wood,
silver utensils and lovely jewelry.
http://www.greecebyclick.com/regions/ionian/corfu/index.cfm
Vacancies in
Corfu
corfu01
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corfu
Corfu (http://www.allcorfu.com/)
Maps News and Weather
Pelekas (http://www.pelekas.com/)
A Typical Corfiot Village |