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The Emerald Island
Corfu was not named of the "Emerald Island" without reason. Corfu's natural
beauty hides itself beneath a cloak of emerald green trees, with a mountainous
skyline plunging into the bluest of blue waters. Elegant architecture,
sun drenched beaches, enchanting night life, and fine cuisine all play
their part in attracting visitors from all over the world.
With a welcome as warm as the sun, the renowned Greek reputation for hospitality
makes any visitor, young or old, feel more than at home. Corfu Town itself
is a contrasting combination of old and new existing side by side in perfect
harmony offering something for everyone that visits her.
There is an abundance of sand, shingle, and pebble beaches lining the
200-Km coastline, as well as clear blue water ideal for swimming and water-sports.
If you take a little time to explore the island, you will be rewarded
with some of the most spectacular scenery offeredby any destination. A
trip into the heart of the island will give you insight into Corfiot village
life. In some places, time seems to have stood still and everyday life
carries on much as it had for hundreds of years. Although the island is
constantly developing to cater to the demands of today?s tourist, Corfu
continues to retain her beauty and charm. The majority of the island remains
untouched by mass tourism and remains as captivating as it has for centuries.
Whether you are looking for the hustle and bustle of nightlife, or peace
and tranquility, everything you could need is here just waiting to be
discovered.
Facts & Features
Length: 65 Km / 35 miles
Width: 18 Km / 11 miles
Area: 570 sq.km / 229 sq.miles
Highest Point: 906 m Mt. Pantokrator
Population of island: 108.106 (1991)
Population of Town: 39.482 (1991)
Largest Export: Olive Oil
Sea Temperature: 13 C min, 26 C max
Average Summer Temperature: 28 C
Average Winter Temperature: 16 C
Hottest months: July / August
Coldest months: January / February
Wettest months: November / March
History and Culture of Corfu
The History of Corfu dates back to 734 BC when it was settled by the Corinthians
who forced the Liburnian pirates (that history records as the first inhabitants
of Corfu) off the island. It was then named ?Corcyra? by its new inhabitants
that were of Doric origin and therefore the prevailing script and dialect
were Doric also.
The ancient town of Corfu, (named Hersoupolis or Paleopolis, according
to various archaeological findings) ranged from the area of Agiou Panteleimonos
(Mon Repos) and the suburb of Analepsis to the lake of Halikiopoulou,
the present location of the airport. Corcyra soon became an eminent naval
power, independent of the island, and founded its own colonies such as
Epidamnos, (currently know as Dyrrachio) and Apollonia Epidamnos which
then sparked the Peloponnesian war by causing a dispute between the Corcyraeans
and the Corinthians. Later, both the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians
became involved in the conflicts and consequently initiated the Peloponnesian
war (431-404 BC).
Domestic disputes, and the permanent rivalry between aristocrats and democrats,
undermined the island which was forced to enter the Athenian Alliance
in 373 BC thus provoking the wrath of the Lacedaemonians. The latter reacted
by sending General Mnasippos, who from 373-372 BC laid the first, and
ultimately unsuccessful, siege on the city. Various invasions by barbaric
tribes (Illyrians, among others) forced Corcyra to surrender to the Romans
(229 BC) under whose rule they remained until 337 AD.
With the end of Roman domination, Corfu was passed to the Byzantine Empire
and suffered various attacks by barbarians, as did the entire Byzantine
world. In 455 AD, Corfu like Illyria, the Peloponnese, and the rest of
Greece was plundered by the Vandals. The worst pillage of all times was
that of the Goths in the 6th century AD, when the Goths, led by their
chief Totilas, sailed into the channel between Corfu and Epirus with 300
ships and plundered the island. During this raid, the ancient town was
destroyed and the inhabitants had to seek refuge in the rocky promontory
of the Old Fortress. There they founded their new town, but continued
to be subjected to various incursions.
When the island was still part of the Byzantine Empire, both the Norman
King of Southern Italy, Robert Guiscard, in 1081 AD, and then his nephew,
Roger II of Sicily, in 1147 AD, conquered Corcyra. Yet, with the help
of the Venetians, who feared the eventual spread of the Normans, Corfu
was again ceded to Byzantium.
The island remained part of the Byzantine Empire until the Fourth Crusade,
when the Crusaders encamped for three weeks on Corfu. After the conquest
of Constantinople by the Crusades and the dismemberment of the Empire,
Corfu fell into the hands of the Venetians along with all the other Ionian
islands and some parts of mainland Greece (1205 AD).
The Venetian rule lasted until 1214, when Michael I Angelos Comnenos annexed
Corfu to the Despot of Epirus. Then, in 1267, Charles I of Anjou, who
had become King of Neapolis and Sicily, brought the island under his domination.
As time went on however, barbarians placed Corfu in serious danger of
attacks. Because Corfu feared that the island might fall under Turkish
rule, they decided to ask for the protection of the ruler of the seas,
Venice. The Venetian admiral Z. Miani accepted the petition and on May
20th, 1386 the flag of St Mark was hoisted over the Old Fortress and Miani
was temporarily elected governor of the island. Later, the Bolla d?oro,
which defined relations between the island and the Venetian state, was
signed.
Corfu remained under Venetian rule until 1797, when the Republican French
conquered the island and formed an interim democratic government that
lasted two years. Russia and Turkey, fearing that France?s influence might
spread further, became allies and conquered Corfu in 1799. In 1800, Corfu
and the other Ionian Islands constituted the independent Septinsular State,
following an agreement between the Sublime Porte and Russia.
Following the Treaty of Tilsit, in 1807 Corfu and the other islands came
under French rule, which lasted until 1814 at which time British General
James Campbell occupied Corfu, enforcing a treaty that had been signed
by France, England, Russia and Prussia. The island remained under British
rule until 1864, when the Greek flag was hoisted, and the Seven Ionian
islands were finally united with the Kingdom of Greece.
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