Liston
It is the most famous pedestrian street of Corfu, the place where locals and visitors gather, where the heart of Corfu developments beats, not only today, but throughout the centuries. Liston was built in the 19th century and is located on the western edge of Spianada, the city’s main square. The imposing mansions that form large arches, arches, which the Corfu people call promenades, “form” the characteristic image of Liston, while today they house a multitude of cafes and restaurants.
One of the “great mysteries” of Corfu is “what does Liston mean” and where did this name come from, with the prevailing version that it translates as “on list”, “on the list” and means the well-known Libro d’ oro, the book of the Corfu nobles: Only those who were “on the list” had the right to enjoy Liston.
Apart from Liston itself, which is considered one of the most popular attractions of Corfu, a few more important monuments and points of interest are within walking distance: The Spianada, the Palaces, the church of Agios Spyridon, the Old Town with its narrow cantons , are just some of them.
Liston is at its best during the Easter period in Corfu, when the countless lanterns are “colored” in purple, a mournful color throughout Holy Week.
New Fort
The New Fortress of Corfu, with underground arcades, vaulted passages, artillery and imposing bastions, also offers the best view of the Old Town. It dominates the hill of Agios Markos, above the old port and was built by the Venetians in the 16th century. According to popular tradition, for the project that began in 1576, 10 to 15 thousand workers worked daily and used materials from approximately 2,000 houses and churches of Corfu.
The Royal Gate of the New Fortress is decorated with the emblem of the Peaceful Republic of Venice, the winged lion of St. Mark, a real work of art, while the stone barracks built during the Anglo-colonial period, today host cultural events, the Museum of Ceramic Art, as well as municipal refreshment room, where one can stand, rest and quench one’s thirst.
The entrance and ticket office for the New Fortress is located in the Old Town of Corfu, at the point where the “staircase” of Solomou Street joins the arcade from the People’s Market and Scholemburgou Street.
Old Fort
The Old Fortress of Corfu is located on the edge of Spianada and stands out from afar in the landscape of the city, being one of its most photographed spots. The church of Agios Georgios, which resembles an ancient temple in its construction, the ancient moat, called “Kontra Fossa” and demonstrates the importance of the fortress, but also the two towers, the Tower of the Land and the Tower of the Sea, make up the impressive building complex.
The Old Fortress of Corfu has been its “guardian” since the 6th century, when the people of Corfu built it with the ruins of Paleopolis, the ancient city that was destroyed by raids. It was the city of Corfu until the 15th century, and then it was turned into a military area. Although it was never captured after a siege, Byzantines, Venetians, French, Russians, English, Greeks, Italians and Germans passed through it in succession.
Mantraki, the small harbor full of boats, with the beautiful Soranza gate awaits you on the northern side of the peninsula, while stone stairs lead to the highest level of the fortification, from where you will enjoy a panoramic view of Spianada and the Old Town, the bay of Garitsa and the Screw. In the outdoor area of the fortress, called Versiada, cultural events are organized.
Achilles
Achillio of Corfu is the impressive palace created in the Corfu countryside by Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary, known as Empress Sissi. It is located in the village of Gastouri, ten kilometers southwest of the city of Corfu, in the olive groves and the green nature of the island.
The tour of the palace grounds, full of great works of art, is an experience that will leave you enchanted, as through the works of renowned artists, you will be informed about the history of the place, of Corfu, of Greece, but also of the personality of the Empress, who loved the island.
The building was completed in 1890 and is dedicated to the demigod Achilles. It is adorned with statues and works of art from ancient Greek mythology, and after the assassination of Empress Sissi, it was bought by Germany’s Emperor Wilhelm II, also known as the Kaiser, who also visited it many times, until the outbreak of World War I. War.
In fact, the gigantic statue of Achilles that visitors encounter in the courtyard of Achilles, which also bears the characteristic inscription: “To the greatest of the Greeks from the greatest of the Germans”, is his tribute.
Mon Repo
The verdant estate of Mon Repo, with a total area of 258 acres, is located very close to the city of Corfu and includes an impressive palace with an endless view of the sea. The palace of Mont Repo was built by the English Commissioner of the Ionian Islands, Frederic Adam, in 1831, while it was granted to King George in 1864 and until 1967 it remained in the royal family, who used it as a summer palace. Today the palace houses the Museum of Paleopolis, the ancient city of Corfu and is open to the public.
The very name of the palace gives its mark: It was given by George I and means “my rest” (Mon Repos). Very close to the palace are the ruins of the largest ancient temple of Corfu, while also nearby you will see the best preserved ancient temple of the island.
The palace consists of two main buildings, belongs to the neoclassical style and is surrounded by an impressive, verdant garden, where it is estimated that more than 2,000 species of plants bloom, from the smallest poes and flowers to towering trees!
Old Perithia
Palia Perithia is a ruined stone Venetian village in northern Corfu, whose 130 houses are architectural masterpieces that attract many visitors. It is located at a distance of eight kilometers from Kassiopi and fifty from the city of Corfu, built in the heart of Mount Pantokrator, the largest mountain of the island. The ruined mansions, which today have as their “tenants” wild grasses and trees, the narrow cobbled streets, the countless churches of Palaia Perithia and the crimson bell tower of Agios Iakovos of Persis will impress you. Old Perithia was abandoned by its inhabitants definitively in the 60s when the last families settled in the coastal, modern village, although in recent years there has been a systematic effort to revive the atmospheric village with its stone architectural masterpieces.