Corfu has many wonderful, historical & religious attractions, here are a small selection of what Corfu has to offer.
Old Fortress: Located Corfu Town
A venue for the whole family, together you can take to the bastions and ramports Step down into the moat and inspect the little moored boats. The fortress also houses the Museum of Byantine art with early Christian sculptures, the Chapel of Madonna del Carmine, the Church of Saint George along with archaeology from as early as the 7th/8th century.Cafe & restaurant are set within the ground with fantastic views.
Corfu New Fortress: Located Corfu Town
It may be newer than the Old Fortress, but it’s still a good 400 years old. The colossal complex formed part of the walls of the old city. Work your way to the summit, here you will find a Museum of Ceramics and views of the rooftops of the Old Town and the Port, its worth the climb.
Church of Saint Spyridon, located in the Centre of Corfu Town
The Patron Saint and Protector of the Island,
The History: He was born about 270 A.D. in Askia, a village in Cyprus. He was of poor and humble origin and earned his living as a shepherd. He was loved and revered by the people for his deep faith, so that when the bishop of Tremithous died he became his successor. During last years of his life he performed a great number of miracles, which was the reason why the faithful considered him a saint even before his death, which occurred about 348. Sweet-scented exhalations were repeatedly perceived emanating from his tomb, until the local churchmen dug it up and found the saint’s body intact. The holy remains were kept in Cyprus for over three hundred years. Following an Arab raid in the second half of the seventh century; the saint’s body was carried to Constantinople, where it was kept until the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453. Shortly after the Turkish conquest the priest George Kalochairetis carried off the body of the Saint, concealed in hay, together with that of Saint Theodora. After long wanderings he crossed over to Corfu with his precious burden. Three times a year, on St. Spyridon’s Day (12th of December), on Easter Saturday and on the 11th of August, the silver gilt case containing his body is exposed for public worship for three days and two nights (at Easter for three nights) in front of his chapel. Thousands of pilgrims pay homage by day and night and kiss his slippered feet. Many are the miracles attributed to the Saint and many people suffering from incurable diseases are relieved of their ailment.
The Achillion Palace: Located in Gastouri (Outskirts of Town, Taxi journey from town 10 mins)
A palace built by Empress of Austria Elizabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sisi, after a suggestion by Austrian Consul Alexander von Watzberg. Elisabeth was a woman obsessed with beauty, and very powerful. The palace is about ten kilometres to the south of the city of Corfu in Gastouri. The palace was designed by Italian architect Raffaele Caritto with the mythical hero Achilles as its central theme. The place abounds with paintings and statues of Achilles, both in the main hall and in the lavish gardens depicting the heroic and tragic scenes of the Trojan War. Later the Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany bought the Palace. Directly below, on the coast, is the unusual Kaiser’s bridge, the stone built jetty where the Kaiser set out on his yacht for swimming trips. The Palace is definitely a place to take your camera. This beautiful building in picturesque gardens overlooks the sea and Corfu town.
The Theotokos Monastery of the Blessed Virgin: Located in Paleokastritsa 25 mins by Car from Corfu Town.
The Monastery of Paleokastritsa, a green hill above the beach of Paleokastritsa, on the north western side of Corfu, there is a large Monastery dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary) of Paleokastritsa. This monastery dominates the whole region. Built on top of a remote hill, it gives gorgeous view of the island and the sea beneath.This is a Byzantine Monastery that dates from 1228, however the current complex, the cells of the monks and the yard date from the 18th century. The monastery has a small ecclesiastical museum with rare Byzantine icons, holy books, a traditional olive press and other relics.
Museums:
Corfu has many Museums, a brief summary:
Museum of Asian Art, Corfu Town.
Folk Museum of Central Corfu, Sinarades (15 mins by car from Corfu town)
Folkloric Museum of Archaravi (35 mins by car from Corfu town)
Archaeological Museum, Garitsa Bay (Corfu Town)
Agios Prokopios Airplane Museum, Kavos (1hr by car Corfu town)
Plus many more.
