Coordinates: 39°40?N 19°45?E
Island Chain: Ionian Islands
Area: 592.877 km² (229 sq.mi.)
Highest Mountain: Mt. Pandokratoras (906 m (2,972 ft))
Government Greece
Periphery: Ionian Islands
Prefecture: Corfu
Capital: Corfu (city)
Airport Code: CFU
Statistics
Population: 107,879 (as of 2001)
Density: 182 /km² (471 /sq.mi.)
Postal Code: 490 82,490 83, 490 84, 491 00,490 81
Area Code: 26610- (town and middle island), 26620- (south and paxoi), 26630- (north)
Corfu, the island of endless natural beauty, the island of song and music,
of unending inspiration, a combination of the cosmopolitan and the traditional.
The island will leave the visitor with unforgettable memories,
excite him with unparalleled images and touch chords in his soul as he pays homage
to the culture of the seven islands.
How can we put in few words all the elements which make up this earthly paradise,
this place which has been so generously blessed by God and which has been written
about by so many illustrious writers and poets.
Cephalonia of the Ionian islands. Its area covers 592 square kilometers
and the length of the island is 217 kilometers. It is mountainous with the highest mountain
being Mt. Pantokrator (906 meters),
but there are several flat areas ,the largest being the Ropa valley.
There are two lakes , Korission and Antinioti,
and four small rivers often dry in Summer at Potamos, Sidari, Messogghi and Lefkimi.
The climate is mild without being bitterly cold
in Winter and the Summers are humid. The heavy rainfall and the high humidity encourage
the profuse growth of vegetation.
Therefore the island has a lot of greenery, even in Summer. It is the most densely populated
area in Greece after thew great urban centers of Athens and Thessalonika.
According to the latest census figures, the population of the island is 107,879 with 39.847
people living in the town.
The economy of Corfu depends mainly on the tourist industry but there are also related
industries and services that depend on tourism.
Agricultural production is not large. The chief products are olive oil, wine, vegetables
and the unique type of Kumquat fruit.
The Ionian has been inhabited since prehistoric times and its situation on the trade and invasion routes to and from the Balkans, Italy and the Levant, has insured a rich and varied historical tradition. The first wave of Ancient occupiers of contemporary interest were the Myceneans who have left significant traces particularly in Thesprotia and Kefalonia.
During the Classical period the region was home to several independent city states (and their colonies) remains of which can still be seen particularly in Corfu, Thesprotia and Kefalonia. Later, these states joined one or other of the great leagues organized by Corinth, Athens and Sparta resulting in the Peloponnesian war breaking out off Southern Corfu in 431 BC.
During the Hellenistic period the region was repeatedly threatened by Macedonian invasions. King Pyrrhos of Epirus who had already fought the Romans in Southern Italy was one of those to offer resistance until his death in 272 BC.
In myth
The island takes its name from the nymph Corkira, daughter of the river Assopos with whom Poseidon fell in love and kidnapped, taking her to Corfu. Their union produced Faikas.
It is in Corfu that Hercules, just before embarking on his ten labours, slept with the Naiad Melite
she bore him Hyllus, the leader of the Heraclids.
Corfu marks the Argonauts' refuge from the avenging Colchic fleet, after their seizure of the Golden Fleece.
the first King of the island. He was succeeded by his brother Nausithos who was the father of Alkinoos , who played his part in the Odessey. Odysseus arrived after days of straggle with the sea-waves,In the mythical sea adventure of Homer's Odyssey, Kerkyra is the island of the Phaeacians, (Phaiakes) wherein Odysseus (Ulysses) meets Nausica, the daughter of King Alkinoos. The bay of Palaiokastritsa is considered to be the place where Odysseus disembarked, and met Nausicaa for the first time
When the Emperor Constantine divided the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD the Ionian became part of the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire.
Despite this, various parts fell under the control of a number of 6 powerful Frankish and Italian baronial families including the Norman in the llth century and the Angevins in the l3th century.
Eventually however, by the late l5th century, two forces had emerged to dominate the region; The Ottoman Turks and the Republic of Venice. Despite brief periods of occupation by the Turks and with the exception of most of Epirus the islands fell under the control of Venice until the latter's defeat by Napoleon in 1797.
Then followed a brief period of French occupation of the Ionian islands until, in 1798, a joint Russian Turkish protectorate was established. The Septinsular Republic, as it was called, lasted until the islands were ceded to the French in 1807 by the treaty of Tilsit.
The British occupied the islands in 1809 and, following the Congress of Vienna in 1815, set up the Union of the Ionian Islands under their protection. (Septinsular, Eptanissa were the terms used for the seven Ionian islands which included Kythera off the South Western Peloponnese).
Following the outbreak of the Greek war of Independence in 1821 which received strong support from the Greeks of the islands, the Turks were gradually driven northward. Britain returned the Ionian Islands to the new Greek State in 1864 but it was not until the end of the first Balkan War in 1913 that Epirus was returned to Greece.
The foreign name Corfu came from the new town that was created in the old fortress on the twin peaks, meaning the town on the peaks. The symbol of Corfu is the abancient warship, the well-known trireme in which to prove their nautical skills the sea men were so exceptional, that they could travel in their ships without a rudder.
At the time of Venetian Rule,there was an intellectual Community that kept the seven
islands in touch with development in Western Europe. It helped to educate many people in writing and in art.
Many Corfiots, having taken their first lessons on the island, continued their education at the main universities
of Italy because of its proximity and the influence of Venice.
Like all the Greeks who were abroad,Cofriots took an interest in the cultivation of classical studies and took
definite steps to help preserve the Greek language. They published in Venice, where aGreek community
had formed,writings about the Greek language and its grammatical structure.
Ancient Greek classics were translated as well. In the 18th century, literature started to flourish in Corfu
with the emergence of the brilliant writers,Eugene Voulgaris (1716-1806) and Nikiforos Theotokis (1731-1800)
who were known as the leaders of their generation due to the significance of their work.Voulgaris wrote a
mammoth work called "Logic" which was published in Lipsia in 1766, and Theotokis offered much to scientific
enquiry of the time,writing about physics and mathematics.
With the foundation of the Ionian Academy by Gilford, a great admirer of Greece, education in Corfu
underwent a dramatic increase as great men came to the island and many gained reputations. At the first
Greek University, philosophers and logicians taught, including such men as Petros Vrailas, Armenis,
Andreas Moustoxidis, Athanasios Politis, Andreas Idromenos, who left a
wealth of literature.
At the initiative of Petros Vrailas-Armenis, the first Intellectual Foundation was established,
the Education Center in 1836.
Dionyssios Solomos, our great national poet, came to Corfu from Zakinthos in 1825 and stayed for the rest of his
life,exerting great influence through his personality and his leadership of the intellectual life
of the island.
At the same time, the other great poet from Zakinthos, Andreas Kalvos (1792-1863)
moved to the island and taught at the Ionian University.
Following the example of Solomos,Gerassimos Markoras (1826-1911) produced significant poetic works,his best one
being the epic lyric poem
The logician Jacob Polilas (1826-1898), another follower of Solomos, left his mark on the culture of the seven
islands with major literary criticism and theoretical works.
Later at the end of the 19th century there was outstanding work by the students of Jacob Polilas, Dinos Theotokis (1872-1923) and Lorenzo Mavilis (1860-1912). Dinos Theotokis was the first writer to socialistic books about ordinary people into Greek literature. His works include "Honour and Money","Slaves and their commitment", "The condemned", e.t.c. The poet Mavilis wrote sensual, romantic sonnets about his great love for nature and his homeland. Running parallel to the flourishing of literature was the development of science and fine arts in Corfu.
The exceptionally talented sculptor, Pavlos Prossalendis,founded the first Fine Art School in Greece in 1811. He produced many wonderful works,among them the Statue of Adam and the copper bust of Maitland which are situated in the square in front of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
Painting flourishes when great painters such as Michael Damaskinos and Panagiotis Doxaras come to the island, create and teach. Later make their appearance great Corfiot painters, Angelos Giallinas specialist in aquarelles who studied deeply the Corfiot landscape, and George Samargis with his exquisite portraits.
The musical tradition of Corfu harks back to ancient times. Homer refers to the great musician Dimodokos, who entertained Ulysses during his stay on the island of Faikes. \par During the period of Venetian Rule, one of the first lyric theatres of Europe was created, and musical appreciation was developed to a high degree.
The great composer Nicholas Mangaros (Mantzaros) wrote the music for the national anthem which was written by the esteemed poet Dionyssios Solomos.
student and friend of Mangaros (Mantzaros) ,Spiros Xindas,composed for Solomos and Markoras and he created the first Greek operettas which achieved great success in the St. Jaco- co Theatre.
Another great internationally acclaimed Corfiot composer Spiros Samaras,wrote the Olympic An- them. He is also known for hies opera "Rea" with lyrics by Costas Palamas.
The old Philarmonic Orchestra was founded in 1840 and in 1890 the "Mangaros Philarmonic Group" was formed. Today on the island there are 15 philharmonic bands which perform various tunes for thee litanies and processions which continue the musical tradition of the island. There are also choirs,cantada groups,dance dramas,classical music groups,dance schools,folk music groups,musical and theatrical presentations which reveal the cultural face of contemporary Corfu.
That music and song is in the souls of the residents of the island,is plain to see and even appears in the musical cadences of people's speech. People with such a civilized identity as the Corfiots can't possibly not have a plethora of customs that have been built up and kept through the passing of the years.
The most important are followed during the carnival period and at Easter in the town,and there are also the traditional festivals with singing and dancing in the villages.
Ptolichus (5th century BC) sculptor
Arsenius (10th century) saint
Nicholas Alamanos, Rugby player, born in Corfu
Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark, born in Corfu
Felice Beato, 19th century photographer, born in Corfu
Giacomo Casanova, lived on the island as an officer of the Venetian army
Albert Cohen, Swiss - French author, born in Corfu
Panagiotis Doxaras, painter,pioneer of the Heptanese School (Seven Island) Art movement, worked and died in Corfu
Gerald Durrell and Lawrence Durrell lived in Corfu for some years and Lawrence wrote, among several other books on Greece, Prospero's Cell: A Guide to the Landscape and Manners of the Island of Corcyra
Elisabeth of Bavaria, Empress of Austria, built Achilleion as summer palace
Kostas Georgakis, student, martyr of the resistance against the Greek military junta of 1967-1974, born in Corfu
Angela Gerekou, actress, singer and politician, born in Corfu. Wife of Tolis Voskopoulos
Spyros Gogolos, footballer born in Corfu
Augustinos Kapodistrias, younger brother of Ioannis Kapodistrias, soldier and politician. He was born in Corfu.[52]
Ioannis Kapodistrias, first Governor of Greece, born in Corfu
Maria Desylla Kapodistria, relative of Ioannis Kapodistrias, mayor of Corfu and first female mayor of Greece.[53]
Kore. Ydro., musical group, formed and based in Corfu
Vicky Leandros, international pop star, born in Corfu
Nikolaos Mantzaros, composer, born in Corfu
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, born Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark, in Corfu
Saint Philomena, according to legend she started her life as a Greek princess born in Corfu
Alexander Rossi, artist, born in Corfu
Sakis Rouvas, singer and athlete, born in Corfu
Reichsgraf Marshal Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg, Austrian general and aristocrat. He successfully defended the island against the Ottoman Turks during the siege of 1716 as leader of the Venetian forces in Corfu.
Carl Ludwig Sprenger, German botanist, lived in Corfu
Theodore Stephanides, poet, author, doctor and naturalist, born in Corfu
Georgios Theotokis, Prime Minister of Greece, born in Corfu
Antonio Vivaldi composer. In 1716, on commission by the republic of Venice, created the oratorio Juditha triumphans to commemorate victory over the Turks during the great siege of 1716.
Rena Vlahopoulou, actress and singer, born in Corfu
Tolis Voskopoulos, singer and actor, resides in Corfu
Spyridon Xyndas (1812-1896) composer and musician
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, bought Achilleion after Sissi's death
Kerkyra has always been a cultural centre of distinction, and its museums and libraries are studded with irreplaceable books and artifacts. The most notable of the island's museums and libraries are located in the city.
Antivouniotissa Byzantine Museum, a church converted into a museum featuring rare Byzantine art.
The Archaeological Museum, located at Armeni Vraila 1, and inaugurated in 1967. It was constructed to house the exhibit of the huge Gorgon pediment of the Artemis temple, excavated at Palaiopolis in early 20th century. In 1994, two more halls were added to the museum, where new discoveries from the excavations of the ancient town and the Garitsa cemetery are exhibited.
The Banknotes museum, located in Aghios Spyridon square, features a complete collection of Greek banknotes from independence to the adoption of the euro in 2002.
The Public Library of Corfu is located at the old English Barracks, in Palaio Frourio.
Solomos Museum and the Corfiot Studies Society share the same building at 1 Arseniou Str.
The Reading Society of Corfu in Capodistriou Str. has an extensive library of old Corfu manuscripts and rare books.
The Museum of Asian art of Corfu is located at the Palaia Anaktora (mainly Chinese and Japanese Arts); its unique collection is housed across 15 rooms, taking in over 12,000 artifacts, including a Greek Buddhist collection that shows the influence of Alexander the Great on Buddhist culture as far as Pakistan.
Kapodistrias Museum. Ioannis Kapodistrias' summer home in Koukourisa in his birthplace of Corfu has been converted to a museum commemorating his life and accomplishments and has been named in his honour. Donated by Maria Desylla Kapodistria, grand niece of Ioannis Kapodistrias, former mayor of Corfu and first female mayor of Greece.
The Serbian Museum of Corfu 19 Moustoxydou St. houses rare exhibits about the Serbian soldiers' tragic fate during the First World War. The remnants of the Serbian Army of about 150,000 soldiers together with their government in exile, found refuge and shelter in Corfu, following the collapse of the Serbian Front as a result of the Austro-Hungarian attack of the 6th October 1915. Exhibits include photographs from the three years stay of the Serbians in Corfu, together with other exhibits such as uniforms, arms and ammunition of the Serbian army, Serbian regimental flags, religious artefacts, surgical tools used in triage by Serbian doctors on Vido island in 1916, war medals and other decorations of the Kingdom of Serbia
Saint Spyridon
The bell tower of the church of St. Spyridon can be seen in the background among the busy kantounia of the city centre. On top of the stores are apartments with balconies. It is from these type of balconies that Corfiots throw botides, clay pots, to celebrate the Resurrection during Easter festivitiesSaint Spyridon the Thaumaturgist (Miracle-worker, Greek: Ο Θαυματουργός), also referred to as Αγιος Σπυρίδων ο πολιούχος (translated as Saint Spyridon the Keeper of the City), is the patron saint of the island. St. Spyridon is revered for the miracle of expelling the plague (πανώλη) from the island, amongst many other miracles attributed to him. It is believed by the faithful that on its way from the island the plague scratched one of the fortification stones of the old citadel to indicate its fury at being expelled ; St. Spyridon is also attributed the role of saving the island at the second great siege of Corfu of 1716. Its legend ran that the sight of St. Spyridon approaching turkish forces bearing a flaming torch in one hand and a cross in the other, had caused panic.
This miracle is one of the earliest successful examples of psychological operations in warfare (psyops). This victory over the Ottomans, therefore, was attributed not only to the leadership of Count Schulenburg who commanded the stubborn defence of the island against Turkish forces, but also to the miraculous intervention of St. Spyridon. Venice honoured von der Schulenburg and the Corfiots for successfully defending the island. Recognizing St. Spyridon's role in the defence of the island Venice legislated the establishment of the litany (λιτανεία) of St Spyridon on the 11th of August as a commemoration of the miraculous event, inaugurating a tradition that continues to this day.
In 1716 composer Antonio Vivaldi, on commission by the republic of Venice, created the oratorio Juditha triumphans to commemorate this great event. Juditha triumphans was composed and performed in November of 1716 in Venice by the orchestra and choir of the Ospedale della Piet? and is described as Vivaldi's first great oratorio.
Philarmonikes
A marching band from Austria, a frequent visitor, through the Corfu landmark of Liston. In the background the western arch of Palaia Anaktora Corfu's musical tradition is significant. In the past, its people would join in the singing of cantades, impromptu choral songs in two, three or four voices, usually accompanied by a guitar. 'Bands' (Philharmonic societies), which also provide free instruction in music, are still popular and continue to attract young recruits.
Easter
On Holy Friday, from the early afternoon onward, the bands of the philharmonic societies, separated into squads, accompany the epitaphs of the town's churches. Late in the afternoon, the squads come together to form the whole band in order to accompany the epitaph of the metropolitan church, while the funeral marches that the bands play differ depending on the band ; the Old Philharmonic play Albinoni's Adagio, the Mantzaros play Verdi's Marcia Funebre from Don Carlo, and the Capodistria play Chopin's Funeral March and Mariani's Sventura.
On Holy Saturday morning, the three town bands take part in the epitaph (Epitaphios Επιτάφιος) of St. Spyridon Cathedral in procession with the Saint's relics.
At this point the bands play different funeral marches, with Mantzaros playing de Miccheli's Calde Lacrime,
the Palia playing Marcia Funebre from Faccio's opera Amleto,
and the Kapodistria Philharmonic playing the Funeral March from Beethoven's Eroica.
This custom dates from the 19th century, when colonial administrators banned the participation of the british garrison's band in the traditional Holy Friday funeral cortege. The defiant Corfiotes held the litany the following morning, and paraded the relics of St. Spyridon too, so that the administrators would not dare intervene.
The litany is followed by the celebration of the "Early Resurrection"; balconies in the old town are decked in bright red cloth, and Corfiotes throw down large clay pots (the botides μπότηδες) full of water to smash on the street pavement, especially in wider areas of Liston and in an organised fashion.This is enacted in anticipation of the Resurrection of Jesus (Ανάσταση του Κυρίου), which is to be celebrated that same night
Municipal Theatre of Corfu
The Municipal Theatre of Corfu, which in early 20th century replaced the legendary Nobile Teatro di San Giacomo (which was converted into Town Hall). This photograph shows the theatre prior to the 1943 Luftwaffe bombardment and its subsequent destruction during World War IIThe Municipal Theatre of Corfu became τhe main theatre and opera house in Corfu, Greece since 1902.
The theatre was the successor of Nobile Teatro di San Giacomo di Corf? which became the Corfu city hall. It was destroyed during a Luftwaffe aerial bombardment in 1943
Ionian University and musical tradition
Since the early 1990s a music department has been established at the Ionian University. Aside from its academic activities, concerts in Corfu and abroad, and musicological research in the field of Neo-Hellenic Music, the Department organizes an international music academy every summer , which gathers both international students and professors specialising in brass, strings, singing, jazz and musicology.
The Carnival
Another venerable Corfu tradition is known as the Carnival or Ta Karnavalia. Venetian in origin, festivities include a parade featuring the main attraction of Karnavalos, a rather grotesque figure with a large head and smiling face , leading a diverse procession of colourful floats.
Corfiots, young and old, dress up in colourful costumes and follow the parade, spilling out into the area's narrow streets (kantounia) and spreading the festivities across the city,
dancing and socialising. At night, in the island's more sophisticated social circles, dance and costume parties are traditional.
Corfu in film
A number of cinema productions have been filmed in Corfu, including the 1981 James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only. The most memorable scene of the film to be bound with the island is of the underwater ancient Greek temple, with a huge turtle swimming in front of the camera; a casino scene was also filmed at the Achilleion. Other scenes filmed here include those tracing 'Melina' and James' walk through the town's streets , and Melina being greeted by Bond at Pontikonisi island. The film's scene depicting a greek wedding was filmed at the Bouas-Danilia traditional village (Μπούας Δανίλια παραδοσιακό χωριό).
Corfu is also the setting of a 1987 BBC TV series version, and a 2005 BBC movie version, of My Family and Other Animals, Gerald Durrell's book about his childhood in Corfu in the late 1930s.
Corfu in literature
British naturalist Gerald Durrell wrote three well-loved books about his 1935–1940 childhood on Corfu: My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts and Relatives; and The Garden of the Gods. His brother, literary author Lawrence Durrell, also wrote a volume about Corfu: Prospero's Cell: A Guide to the Landscape and Manners of the Island of Corcyra (Corfu).
Popular culture
Corfu is one of the locations in the legend of Simon and Milo, where Simon falls in love temporarily. It is the setting of the 1998 song Mediterranean Lady by Prozzak. The island is alluded to several times in David Foster Wallace's The Broom of the System