Faliraki

Faliraki was originally the Royal Wharf.

It fell into disrepair and parts remained in ruin for many years.

It was recently restored and the nearest building, which had been Cafe St.Nicholas became a restaurant (now closed).

The chapel St.Nicholas in the centre, which had remained virtually intact is back to its former glory and the furthermost building once Aleko's 'Saltwater and Artificial Bathhouse' is now a popular bar/cafe at the the water's edge.

The Liston and the Esplanade

The Liston with its many cafes and bars is Corfu Town's premier meeting place.  It was built during the French occupation and is modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris.  Its name is derived from the Libro d'oro in which were inscribed the names of the elite, the only people who were originally allowed to promenade there.

The Esplanade is a charming area of Corfu Town, an urban open space for relaxed promenading, reading or gossiping over Greek coffee.

At the northern section of the Esplanade is the terrace of arcaded buildings known as the Liston, which was built by the French in the style of the Parisian rue de Rivoli.

This is a very smart area of the Esplanade and looks out over the wide green space which is used for cricket matches, a legacy of the British.

At this end you will also find the impressive Palace of St. Michael and St. George, which houses a collection of Oriental Art, and is a most striking relic of the 50 year presence by the British on Corfu.

Here is a perfect spot to relax and have a drink and to watch the world go by from many stylish cafes and restaurants.

At the southern end of the Esplanade you will find a garden area which is landscaped with flowerbeds and a fountain and also an elegant bandstand where you may be lucky enough to find one of the town’s brass bands performing on a Sunday afternoon.

Saint Spiridon  church in Corfu

Agios Spiridon (Saint Spiridon) is very special in Corfu. Spiridon was a Cyprian bishop. His remains were kept in Constantinople and after the fall of the town, were brought to Spiridon church in Corfu town.

There are processions 4 times every year to celebrate his namesake and the three miracles that are written in his name. His relic is carried through the streets.The church of Agios Spyridonas is dedicated to the patron saint of the island of Corfu. It was built in 1589, in order to replace the older church of Sorokos which was demolished because of the construction of the walls of the town. Saint Spyridonas took part in the Ecumenical Synod A', which took place in Nice (325 AD).

On the exterior of the church there is a tall, castellated bell-tower with a clock which resembles the one of the church of Agios Georgios in Venice. Inside the church there is a temple which the architect M. Mawers made of Kararas and Paros in marble. The painter Spyros Prosalentis made the icons on the temple of the church.

The most valuable treasure of the church is the golden shrine made in Venice in which Saint Spyridonas's remains are kept. At first these remains were kept in Constantinople, but after its fall, they were transferred to the island of Corfu. The wonderful icons on the dome have golden frames, they are divided into 17 pieces, and they represent, among other things, the life of Saint Spyridonas.

The icons were first made by the hagiographer Panagiotis Doxaras in 1727, but because of their decay from moisture, they were replaced by Nikolaos Aspiotis's copies in 1850-1870. On December 12th, there is a feast in honour of the saint. The litanies of Agios Spyridonas are also famous, as they have been performed here since the Venetian years, and they are connected with the history of the island.

The new fortress and the old fortress

The town is dominated by double forts. The 13th century Neo Frourio (New Fortress) with its dungeons, cellars and impressive turret battlements is much more interesting to visit than the older but less exciting 6th century Paleo Frourio (Old Fortress).

The Old Fortress in Corfu  is situated on an islet and is joined with the town by a cement bridge which used to be wooden and movable.

Before the bridge, one can admire the marble statue of German Field Marshal Schulenburg, who bravely defended the island during the Turkish siege in 1716.

It was constructed by the Italian sculptor A. Corradini, during the Venetian Rule, and it was originally housed in the fortress. Between the Old Fortress and the town, lies the canal of Contra Fossa (150 m. long, 10-15 m. wide), with the Stands of Saborniano and Martinego.

The construction of the building began with the Venetians, after the Turkish siege in 1537, and was completed in 1588. It had four gates and two peaks (Korifes), thus the island was named Corfu. The first peak (51 m. high) was built by the Byzantines and was called "Castell del Mar", alias "Castell Vecchio", while the second peak (65 m. high) was built by the Venetians and was called "Castell di Terra", alias "Castell Nuovo".

The Venetians extended the city beyond the fortress, while in the interior they built arches, prisons, storage rooms and new buildings for the soldiers, the nobles and the politicians. The new town called for a new fortification and a new fortress.

The underground arches of the fortress prove the theory that it was linked underground to the opposite islet of Ptihia (alias Vido). Today, one can still see the ruins of the Venetian walls, the additional fortifications built by the English, the clock-tower, the Doric buildings and the church of Agios Georgios, built in 1840, during the English occupation.

The new  Fortress in Corfu , Greece is also referred to as the Fortress of San Marco. I

It was built by the Venetians and is strategically located in close proximity to the Old Harbour of the town.

It took a rather long time to be built (1576 and 1645). Its construction was completed soon after the infamous Turkish invasion.

The design and construction of the Fortress was undertaken by the renowned Italian military engineer - Ferraute Vitteli.

This historical monuments played an immense role during the World War II. Then, its archways were used as shelters.

The Palace of St. Michael & St. George

The palaces of St.Michael & St.George are  built in the architectural style popular during King George's reign, are situated near Spiniada square.They were built by the English major S. Whitmore.

The English began the construction in 1819 and concluded it in 1823. The palaces were built to be used as residence for the English high commissioner.

Later, here were the headquarters of the Monasterial Battalion of St Michael and St George, which was founded in 1818 by distinguished English employees of the colony on the Ionian islands.

Later on, from 1864 to 1913, the palaces were used as a royal summer residence.On the top part of the building relieves allegorically represent the Ionian islands. The central panel, probably Britannia, is an allegorical figure representing the benefits of the Protectorate. On either side are the emblems of the seven Ionian islands.

All are works of Pavlos Prosalentis. Today the Palace houses the museum of Asiatic Art, a museum of Christian Art, the Archives of the Ionian Senate and the Corfu Public Library containing about 60,000 volumes of Greek and foreign books.


The town Hall in Corfu

The Town Hall stands near Spiniada square at Evgeniou Voulgari str. The construction began in 1663 AD by the Venetians and it was completed in 1693.

It is a Renaissance, stone construction with carved walls. Among the interior's carved representations, the most prominent one, placed in 1691, the bust of Morozini surrounded by four children-symbols of his virtues.

In the beginning, the building was a lodge for the nobles (Loggia Nobilei) and a club for the venetian fleet's officers.

In 1720, one of the most significant Greek theaters was housed here called "San Jiacomo" because of the neighboring catholic church of the same name built in 1632. Ever since 1903 AD, the building has been used as a Town Hall where the town's new theater is also housed.