Featured Destination: Ionian Isles - Corfu (part 2 of 7)

GEOGRAPHY Corfu, the northernmost of the Ionian isles and the second largest, is one of the loveliest islands in Greece. It is 592 sq. km. in area, has 217 km. of coastline and 96,533 inhabitants. It constitutes an independent Prefecture in which the islands of Paxoi, Antipaxoi, Ereikousa, Mathraki, Othonoi, Panaghia and the uninhabited islets of Pontikonisi and Ptychia are included. Corfu can be reached by aeroplane from Athens or by ferry boat from Igoumenitsa (18 nautical miles) and Patras (132 nautical mites). The liners from Patras continue on to the Italian ports of Ancona, Brindisi and Bari. There is a coach service from Athens and from Thessaloniki, via Igoumenitsa. Corfu is also linked to Cephallonia, Paxoi, Mourto Thesprotias and the islets of Ereikousa, Othonoi and Mathraki by a local boat twice a week from Sidari. During the summer months there is a daily connection with Brindisi and a regular service to Ancona and Bari by ferry boat from Igoumenitsa.

The island is dominated by two mountainous massifs (highest peak Pantocrator, 906 m. a.s.l.) which divide it into three parts. In the north there are olive groves, small verdant valleys and indented coastline with bays and coves. The central part, the most important, is literally drowned in vegetation, thickly wooded hillsides and small fertile plains. The southern section, also the narrowest, is flatter and has few trees. As a consequence of its clement clime and fertile soil the island is densely populated. Its capital is Corfu, from where roads lead out to the other towns and villages of the island.

Nowadays Corfu is an international tourist centre with excellent facilities catering for all tastes. Its lush green landscape, monuments and unusual architecture, as well as its marvelous beaches, attract a host of tourists throughout the year.

HISTORY Because of its geographical location and favorable natural environment Corfu was inhabited even in Palaeolithic times (Aghios Matthaios 70,000 - 40,000 B.C.). According to myth it was named after the nymph Kerkyra (Greek name for Corfu is Kerkyra), daughter of Asopos, with whom Zeus fell in love and brought to this isle. Fruit of their union was Phaiakas and so Corfu was also known as the island of the Phaiakes. It was here that Odysseus met the daughter of Alkinoos, Nausika, as described by Homer in the Odyssey. Bronze Age installations (2000 BC) have been discovered on the west coast. In historical times Corfu was colonized by Eretrians (775-750 BC) and in 734 BC Corinthian colonizers founded the city of Kerkyra which quickly developed into a wealthy and powerful centre. In 432 BC Kerkyra sought the aid of Athens in its dispute with Corinth and so the Peloponnesian War broke out. At the end of the 4th century BC it passed into Spartan hands, was subsequently captured by Agathokles, tyrant of Syracuse, and then taken by Pyrrhus king of Epirus (281 BC). It was besieged by the Illyrians in 229 BC and not long afterwards fell to the Romans. In Byzantine times, though plagued by hostile incursions, it experienced a floruit and its first fortress was built then. It was ruled by a series of overlords and beset by many difficulties until the Fall of Constantinople to the Franks (1204) when it was taken by the Venetians who held it from 1207 until 1214, when it was annexed to the disparate of Epirus. From 1267 it was ruled by the Andegaves until 1386 when it once again came under the suzereinty of Venice, which held Corfu until 1797. The Venetians ruled the island as a Venetian colony and made provision for its defense. Throughout the 15th century the Turks tried time and again to capture it, but to no avail. From the 17th century onwards there was a notable acme in art and letters which lasted well into the 19th century. Between 1797 and 1799 Corfu was a possession of the French Republic, then came the Russo-Turkish occupation, followed by a period of independence and in 1814 it was captured by the British who also took the other isles of the archipelago. In 1864 Corfu was incorporated in the Greek state. It was occupied by the Italians in World War II and by the Germans in 1943, who wrought considerable destruction in the battle fought for its capture.

SIGHTS AND MONUMENTS Corfu, the island's capital is one of the loveliest towns in Greece, built more or less in the middle of the west side on the site of the ancient city of Kerkyra. In antiquity the city extended slightly further south and its centre was at Palaiopolis. A section of the ancient fortification wall still stands close to the present day cemetery. The ancient acropolis stood on the hill of Mon Repos and Analipsis. Within the Mon Repos estate (originally the residence of the English Governors and later summer residence of the Greek royal family), significant temples have been revealed. The largest and most important is that of Hera, dated to the 7th century BC, of which there are many dispersed parts. The best preserved temple on Corfu is that at Kardaki, dedicated to Apollo and dated to the 6th century BC. Another ancient monument brought to light is that of Menekrates (circa 600 BC) near which an Archaic lion, nowadays in the Corfu Archaeological Museum, was found. In the vicinity of the monastery of Sts. Theodore one can see the ruins of the famous temple of Artemis, established at the beginning of the 6th century BC. A pseudoperipteral temple in the Doric order and richly embellished. The west pediment, the oldest surviving stone pediment in Greece, with its representation of the Gorgon is exhibited in the Archaeological Museum.

One of the most magnificent Byzantine monuments on the island is the basilica at Palaiopolis (Aghia Kerkyra), near the entrance to Mon Repos. It dates to the 5th century and was built on teh site of a 5th century BC temple. Sections of the mosaic floor form part of the Collection of Christian Art housed in the palace. Also noteworthy is the church of Saints Jason and Sosipatros, dated to the 12th century. There are a number of well-preserved Byzantine churches in Corfu, including that of St. Spyridon, perhaps the best known. It was built towards the end of the 16th century to replace an earlier church at Saroko which had been destroyed. Saint Spyridon is the islands patron saint and his relic is kept in this church. Other important churches are that of the Virgin Spiliotissa (cathedral), built in 1577 and containing valuable icons, the Virgin Antivouniotissa (15th century), St. Nicholas ton Geronton (16th century), the Pantocrator (second half of the 16th century). Also of interest are the church of the Holy Trinity (17th century), St. John the Baptist (16th century), the Virgin ton Xenon (18th century), as well as the katholikon of the Platytera monastery (18th century). All these churches have significant wall paintings and icons.

Next month: Ionian Isles, Part Three - Paxoi

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Greek Island Corfu Sweatshirt 324	Greek Island Corfu Tshirt 324	Corfu Woman Costume Style 217301	Corfu Girl Costume for ages 6-16 Style 300017

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