Corfu
Corfu or Kerkyra, one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, perhaps the greenest Ionian island with the densest vegetation, an island with a long and important history inextricably linked to Greek culture and tradition for over 3000 years.
In the Middle Ages the island was named “Κορυφώ” (Korifo), in one version of the two peaks that exist in the Old Fortress peninsula and in another version of the two peaks of Mount Pantocrator, of ancient Istonia, that look like one is approaching the island from by far. It is obvious that today’s international name Corfu came from this name. The city of Corfu has also been named Kastropoli because it was one of the few in the world to be completely enclosed by the walls of the two fortresses.
Corfu is very different from the rest of Greece culturally, it was fortunate to never know Turkish occupation since it was at that time part of the mighty naval state of Venice. It was the time that shaped and influenced radically and substantially the cultural character of the island and its residents.
Corfu is one of the pillars of the Greek tourism industry and has been one of the first attractions of foreign tourists for many decades. In recent years it has become one of the favorite destinations of Greek tourists especially during the Easter season which has gained national interest with the unique customs that exist only here, but also in August that is filled with Greek visitors.
Corfu has a wealth of museums, monuments and cultural centers. The first Greek university was founded and operated here and on the island has been an electricity factory since 1850, which is known for its enormous music tradition. Also, Corfu is famous for the music tradition that has. Corfu town has three main philharmonic groups like The Old Philharmonic, the Philharmonic Mantzaros and the Kapodistrias Philharmonic, but in almost every village there is one more.
Outside the city you can also visit dozens of attractions, the Angelokastro, a Byzantine fortress near Paleokastritsa, the Achilleion, a palace built by the Empress of Austria Elisabeth or the other Sissi in honor of Mithri Benitses, the Kaiser Bridge built by Kaiser William when he bought Achilles, the Benitses Maritime Museum, the Olive Museum to the Kenyans, and dozens of other medieval mansions found to almost every village.
Corfu has been fortunate, in contrast to the rest of the Ionian Islands, to never have been hit by powerful earthquakes as it has unfortunately happened in Cephalonia and Zakynthos, because it is slightly north of the more stable Ionian earthquake. part of the bark, thus preserving the medieval architectural character of the old city.
