INTEREST
Old Fortress
Entering the Old Fortress, the great bridge over the moat and the imposing gate will immediately take you to another era. The sturdy fortifications with their bastions, turrets and secret passages built by the Venetians to repel fierce Ottoman attacks will take you back to the Middle Ages.
Weather permitting, climb to the top and descend to the ancient harbour that today hosts the Corfu Sailing Club. Visit the church of Saint George, one of the most unique churches on the island.
On the way back, one can stroll through the beautiful Boschetto and the People’s Garden with a view of the sea from the sea walls.
Church of St Spyridon
Believer or not, in this 16th century church you will experience a sense of devotion and peace. Here in a silver 19th century case in the chapel to the right of the sanctuary, the relics of Saint Spyridon is kept, the patron saint and miraculous protector of Corfu.
The history of Corfu is inextricably linked to Saint Spyridon since his holy relic was transferred to the island. Miracles at important moments in Corfiot history are attributed to him. In memory of these miracles, processions are held 4 times a year with the accompaniment of the Philharmonic Orchestras of the city and sometimes from the hinterland.
The church is one of the most important post-Byzantine monuments of the city. It is a single-aisled, wood-roofed basilica of the Heptanese style, which once belonged to the Voulgaris family, along with the skeleton of the Saint. It has an impressive turreted bell tower which is remarkably similar to the bell tower of St. George of the Greeks in Venice. In the church there are priceless relics and tokens left by the faithful in supplication or thanks to the Saint for miraculous deeds.
Mon Repos
The vast estate of Mon Repo with its tropical and rare flora is located in the area of Paleopolis, where the ancient Roman and Byzantine city of Corfu had developed before the inhabitants moved to where the city is today. The estate is dominated by the mansion built by British Commissioner Adam for his beloved Corfiot wife, Nina Palatianou.
The towering evergreen trees, the winding paths in the woods, the deep blue sea crashing below and the archaeological sites of ancient temples create a unique energy in the place.
It is no coincidence that this estate was chosen by the kings of Greece for their summer holidays, until the abolition of the monarchy when it was acquired by the Municipality of Corfu.
Today, the mansion has been converted into a museum, which houses exhibits from the different periods of Paleopolis and the whole area is one of the most favourite walks of the locals.
Casa Parlante
The small living museum Casa Parlante (Speaking House) is laid out as a 19th century town house. The special atmosphere created by the architecture and interior decoration of Casa Parlante highlights the cultural richness of the period. The family heirlooms, valuables, paintings and furniture bear witness at first glance to the past of the noble family, confirm the social status of the members, outline the style of the people and give clues to their past and their habits. Visit Casa Parlante and travel to the stately Corfu of another era.
Museum of the Corfu Philharmonic Society
Adjacent is the historic building of the Old Philharmonic Orchestra, founded by the composer of the national anthem of Greece, Nikolaos Halikiopoulos Mantzaros, in 1840. The Philharmonic evolved into a central focus for the development of art music in the Ionian Islands and in Greece in the 19th century. With its wide-ranging teaching work and its countless concerts, it established itself as a model for other musical organisations in Corfu. Many of its graduates played an important role in the musical life of Greece.
The Museum of the Philharmonic records the course of the Foundation through its exhibits during its almost two centuries of uninterrupted activity, while at the same time it honours with its name the leading Corfiot composer Nikolaos Halikiopoulos Mantzaros.
