What to see and do in Corfu, Greece

The old town of the city of Corfu, Greece has been known as Kastropolis (Castle City) because of its two castles

It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List Since the Middle Ages, the city has been known as Kastropolis (Castle City) because of its two castles. It is on the eastern shore of the island of Corfu near the coast of Albania and mainland Greece.

The Old Fortress of Corfu (Fortezza Vecchia) was built by the Venetians. The fortress covers the high point of land that juts out into the sea. It initially contained the old town of Corfu during Byzantine times.

The Venetians separated the fortress from the rest of the city of Corfu by creating the Contrafossa, a moat which is a sea channel connecting the Gulf of Kerkyra to the North with the Bay of Garitsa to the South.The fort successfully repulsed all three major Ottoman sieges: the great siege of 1537, the siege of 1571 and the second great siege of Corfu in 1716.

The Palace of St. Michael and St. George, built in 1815 by Sir Thomas Maitland  (Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands). It is a large structure of white stone which was imported from Malta. 

Church of the Virgin Mary Mandrakina is located next to the seashore between the fortress and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George.

Statue of Count Von Der Schulenburg. He served on the island as a commander at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. He was the chief of the army of the Corfiots during the siege by the Turks, in 1716.

The city wall along the seashore with the fortress in the background.

A large plaza and gardens separate the old fortress from the city.

 The Venetians built the New Fortress at the hill of St. Mark to further strengthen the defenses of the outer city of Corfu between 1576 and 1645. The fortifications were later expanded by the British and the French to help defend against a possible Turkish attack. Its fortifications included 700 pieces of artillery with a range as far as the Albanian coast.

The countryside north of the city is covered with steep mountains. 

Looking for things to do?  Viator offers numerous tours in the Corfu area. Click here for details.