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The architecture of Corfu town is strongly influenced
by the Sicilians, the Venetians, the French and
the British that occupied the island (see the History
section for more information).
The town gathers a population of about 30, 000 inhabitants;
this well-organised town is full of elegant buildings,
beautiful mansions, superb palaces and magnificent
monuments succeeding one another and surrounded
by narrow stone-paved streets with stone steps,
large beautiful French-designed squares with trees
and flowers, impressive and well-preserved Venetian
castles and lovely Byzantine and post-Byzantine
churches.
The unique beauty, charm, character and atmosphere
of Corfu town reminds of glamorous towns such as Naples,
taking the visitor back to another time and place.
This is a suggestive list of some interesting and
beautiful sites to visit in Corfu Town:
| The
central square called Spiniada Square
Esplanade |
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This square is one of the most significant monument
of the town and supposed to be the largest square
on the whole Balkans.
Designed by the French according to French style
and turned into a public square, planted with trees
and flowers. Before the 19th century, the area was
empty and used for defensive and strategic purposes.
Today it is the central square of Corfu Town. As
an English heritage, the Esplanade Square is the
only place welcoming cricket matches. |
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This beautiful building was destroyed in 1943 during
Italian raids but was wonderfully restored.
| The
Palace of Saint Michael and Saint Georges |
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Located at the northern end of the Esplanade Square,
this Palace is one o the most elegant monuments
of the island. It was built during the English occupation,
in 1824, following the Georgian style.
First used as the official residence of the Commissioner,
it also became, for a while, the residence of the
Greek Royal Family; today, it is housing the European
Leaders Summit Conference.
Situated in the western side of the Esplanade Square,
the Liston is fine building which terrace houses
some of the finest and more luxurious cafes and
restaurants of the island.
The beautiful arches of the terrace become even
more astonishing at nights, when the spot lights
create wonderful and artistic shadows.
Built during the French occupation, in 1807, the
Liston has many architectural similarities with
the buildings of the Rue de Rivoli, in Paris.
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After that, the building was used as a town hall
and, today, it is housing the National Bank of Greece.
Standing in Moustoxidi Street, the Ionian Parliament
was built in 1855. Various inscriptions commemorating
the vote of the unification of the Ionian Islands
with the newly built Greek State are surrounding
the main entrance of this beautiful building.
Around this square are located three of the most
important and imposing churches of Corfu which are
the Church of Saint Spiridon, the Church of the
Blessed Virgin of Strangers and the Church of Saint
John.
-The neighbourhood of Mandouki
Mandouki is an historical neighbourhood for its
inhabitants resisted against the French conquerors
in 1799. Today, it is a lovely suburb with a pleasant
central street boarded by well-preserved old houses,
shops, traditional Greek cafes and taverns.
This is the area where the first city of the island
of Corfu was built, offering many archaeological
sites to visit. Kanoni owns its name from the circular
terrace situated on the edge of the Peninsula and
which used to have a canon (“kanoni” in Greek) standing
in its centre. From this terrace, one can enjoy
a magnificent view over the bay and the islet of
Pontikonisi (the Island of the Mousses).
Nowadays,
the Kanoni Peninsula offers many luxurious hotels.
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