Corfu History & Culture

 

 

 

 

Corfu and Greek Mythology

Corfu (Kerkyra) takes its name from Ancient Greek mythology. According to myth, Poseidon (god of the sea) fell in love with Korkyra (daughter of the river god Asopos). Poseidon kidnapped Korkyra, and took her to the island which he named in her honour. Korkyra eventually evolved into Kerkyra - as Corfu is known today. Poseidon and Korkyra had a child named Phaiax. The inhabitants of the island were named after Phaiax and were known as Phaiakes which evolved to Phaeacians. Legend has it that Corfu was the 'rich, beautiful land' in Homer's Odyssey - the land of the Phaecians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prehistoric History of Corfu

Excavations on Corfu have found evidence that the island has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic Era (30,000-7,000 BC). Evidence has also been found of settlements in the Neolithic Age (6,000 BC) and the Bronze Age (3,000-1,000 BC).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Corinthians (734 BC)

Greeks have inhabited Corfu since about 750 BC when Eretrians established a colony on the island. The Eretrians were driven out of Corfu in 734 BC by the Corinthians. The Corinthians brought wealth and culture to Corfu and during their rule the island prospered with trade, much construction and creativity. By the end of the 7th Century, Corfu had a population of over 10,000 people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Romans (229 BC - 395 AD)

During the Peloponnesian War Corfu lost half its population and fell to the Spartans. In 229 it was seized by pirates from Illyria. They were driven out by the Romans who occupied the island until 395AD. The Romans used Corfu as a naval base and gave the island autonomy. Many wealthy Romans had homes on Corfu and Roman ruins can still be found today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Byzantine Period (337AD - 1267 AD)

Corfu was part of the Byzantine Empire and endured frequent raids by hostiles including the Goths and the Normans. It was also occupied by the Venetians, the Greeks and the Italians during this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Venetians  (1402 - 1797)

In 1402, the Venetians acquired Corfu from Naples and occupied the island until 1797. The Venetian occupation was an important period in the history of Corfu. The Venetians established a naval base at Gouvia. Many houses and monuments were built including the Old and New Fortresses and the Opera House. During this time Corfu came under constant attack from the Turks. Many artists and scholars took up residence in Corfu to escape the Turkish occupation on the mainland and it was a time of great cultural advancement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The French (1797 - 1799)

In 1797, after Napolean conquered Venice, Corfu came under the rule of the French who established schools, the library and the law courts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Russian and Turks (1799 - 1807)

In 1790 the Russians and Turks attacked and outed the French and declared Corfu the capital of the Septinsular Republic (later abolished).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The French (1807 - 1814)

 

In 1807 Corfu came under French rule again with the signing of a Russian-French Treaty of Tilsit. This was a time of prosperity and cultural development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The British (1814 - 1864)

After the defeat of Napolean, Corfu became a British protectorate. An 1815 treaty set up the united states of the Ionian Islands with Corfu the capital. It was administered by the British High Commissioner.

This was a time of great advancement for Corfu with the building of public works including roads and water supply, a health system and the construction of many fine buildings. In 1848 the first newspaper in Corfu was published and Greek was recognised as the official language of the island. In 1824 the Ionian Academy was established (Corfu's first university).

In May 1864 Corfu was ceded to Greece, along with the other Ionian Islands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World War I - Corfu

Although Corfu was declared neutral territory, it was used as a base by the Allies - the British, French and Italian armies. The island was a refuge for Serbian troops after their defeat in 1916. A memorial has been built at Vido in honour of the many Serbian troups who died on the island. In 1923 Corfu was bombed by the Italians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World War II - Corfu

Corfu was badly bombed during World War II and many buildings and monuments, including the Ionian Parliament, the Municipal Theatre and the Municipal Library, were destroyed or badly damaged. Corfu was firstly occupied by Italian and then German forces during the war until it was retaken by Greek and British troops in October 1944. Many of the island's Jewish population were sent to Auschwitz by the nazis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent History of Corfu

After the second World War, under the Greek government's program of reconstruction, Corfu rebuilt and restored many of its fine buildings.

In the late 1960s the development of tourism began on Corfu and this has brought new economic benefits to the island. Corfu's history, natural beauty and the development of tourism infrastructure has resulted in the island becoming a very popular holiday destination.