The Old Town of Corfu is one of the most popular and beautiful places in the Ionian Sea and one of the most renowned due to its history. And of course, it is one of the places that should be at the top of the list of areas to visit when arriving at the island.
It is the cultural core of the island, its heart, where the Corfiot’s society lives and thrives, embraced protectively on both sides by the two Venetian fortresses of the island: the Old and the New. The Old Town and its fortresses are the jewels of its long-standing, ancient history and the first things one sees upon approaching the island of Corfu.
The Old Town of Corfu is located in the center of the east coast of the island, almost merged with the more urban part of the city center, where the market, services, and most of the shops are located. Nevertheless, the Old Town is a rare phenomenon for modern societies, as it is the only city in Greece that preserves almost entirely intact its historical residential fabric, a unique fact that deserved to be officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
If you were ever asked to describe the old town, surely the first word that would come to mind would be: magical. Its multicultural character with Venetian elements all around it and its elegant architecture makes it unique, something you will never see again in Greece. Inside it, apart from traveling to the past and exploring it, you will feel at home, as the cultures and atmospheres in its alleys are so intertwined that everyone seems free to be themselves there.
For most people, the historic old town brings images of picturesque Italian suburbs to mind. This is not unreasonable, as the period of Venetian rule in Corfu lasted for about 400 years, protecting it from Turkish rule and primarily allowing it to flourish! Once you arrive in the old historic center, the first thing you will see is Spianada Square, the largest square in the Balkans, which has been ranked 27th in the world due to its area of 84,000 square meters, which adorns a large part of the Old Town.
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Spianada Square is divided into an "upper" and "lower" square, as the locals call the two large sides of the Spianada by the popular pentofanaro. The pentofanaro, is the busiest part of the square, as it is a focal meeting point for locals.
Strolling Through Centuries: Corfu Old Town's Treasures
Alongside the lower side of Spianada Square, the most popular pedestrian street in Greece begins: the Liston. The name Liston, presumably given from the list (Libro d'oro) of the city's noblemen who were allowed to stroll in this area. This pedestrian street is adorned by large arches in the center of each stand a large, imposing lantern, imitating the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France. Liston today houses under its arches cafes and bistros, where most Corfiots hang out all year round.
Liston is a stunning, architectural masterpiece that will impress you even more during the Easter period, as it is adorned by the locals with special red or purple fabrics called Damasko or Festonia, which they symbolically hang on their windows. Especially at night, Liston becomes a magical destination during Easter, as the massive lanterns standing on its arches "wear" the purple color, signifying mourning for the death of Christ.
At the end of Liston, is the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. The building was used as the residence of the British High Commissioner and also as the seat of the Ionian Senate. Today the palace houses the Museum of Asian Art, the only museum in Greece dedicated to the art of the Far East and India, with the number of exhibits reaching 15,000.
Just beyond the palace, among the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town, you'll discover another remarkable - of many - landmarks: the Kampielo. Be careful not to get lost! Kampielo is the oldest neighborhood in the Old Town, adorned with tall, picturesque apartment buildings and well-maintained flower-adorned detached houses with courtyards. Built of stone, one next to the other, with handmade tiles and ornate balconies, they form a unique canvas, perfect for romantic captures!
The Venetian and medieval architecture of the Old Town creates an idyllic environment, magical for lovers of the old and the historical, where you will also find the Kremasti square with the ornate stone well, the church of Agios Spyridon where the remains of the Patron Saint of Corfu are located, the building of the Ionian Bank, built in 1846 and the Town Hall, also a monument of architecture.
Walk the Old Town as much as you can. Apart from the unique buildings, churches, squares, and monuments that you will encounter on your way, you will find countless shops with tourist items and traditional products, while you will surely come across beautiful romantic spots to enjoy your coffee, drink, or dinner in the narrow streets of the city.
This enchanting corner of Greece is worth every minute of your time to explore, as it is full of images, history, flavors, and aromas from almost all over the world. What could be more unique than a small place that brings together so many experiences and engages the visitor's senses from the first minute?
