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Date: 2008-12-03 11:54:16

Issue #8 - October '08

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Welcome to our Newsletter of October 2008

The Weather

Picture taken from the bridge of the Old Fortress on October 9th, 2008

We call it "Mikro Kalokairaki" which means little summer. It usually comes in October after some radical weather changes from the long, hot, humid summer. It always comes before winter in the middle of autumn and makes our days sparklingly beautiful. A perfect intermission between a long hot summer and a cooler, wetter winter.

A significant part of Corfu's history

The Old Fortress

The Old Fortress is the best known and most famous castle in Corfu. It was one of the strongest Venetian fortifications and has always been closely connected to Corfu’s history playing the most significant role in the island’s defense. It is situated on a two-peak, rocky peninsula 600m long and 200m wide. From these two rocky peaks (“koryfes” in Greek) the name of Corfu was first established as Coryfo.

La Cita De Corphy - Georg Braun & Frans Hogenberg - Coloured copperplate engraving - 1575

The first construction on the peninsula is dated back to the Byzantine period (about 550 AD) when the Goths under the leadership of Tottilas, pillaged and completely destroyed the old city of Corfu "Chersoupoli" (today’s "Palaiopolis") situated on the Kanoni Peninsula in the region of "Mon Repos". The historians of that period described “Chersoupoli” as a unique ancient town of affluence and beauty. The citizens who survived from this disaster gradually started to build their new town on the two-peak rock. The building material was taken, among other things, from ruins of the Kassiopi castle and from other buildings in "Chersoupoli"

At the same time they fortified the eastern peak which was later named by the Venetians, Castel Vecchio or Castel Del Mar (Old Tower or Sea Tower). The other peak was initially fortified by the Angevines and was later completed by the Venetians and was named Castel Nuovo or Castel di Terra (New Tower or Land Tower). The area between the two fortified rocks was called ¨Akropoli¨and formed the Old Citadel. It was a small town with residences, storerooms, water tanks, underground tunnels, churches and a Cathedral. According to written records 355 houses existed in the fortress in 1499 and 1,800 people were living there. It was considered as the medieval town of Corfu. Most of the existing buildings you see now were constructed by the British. Under the castle a labyrinth of arched ways and tunnels exists that lead up to the top of the rock, forming a perfect underground connecting system.

The Byzantine fortification was completed by the Epirus dynasty and the D’ Anjou. The main fortification was built by the Venetians (1402-1797). In 1520 for safety reasons, the Venetians separated the peninsula from the island by a moat (Contra-Fossa). Initially, a wooden bridge was connecting the town with the fortress which was later replaced by a mobile bridge operating until 1819, when it was replaced by a permanent footbridge of 60m long.

The Old Fortress and Vido Island The two bridges The lion of St. Markus on one of the bastions

A first outer wall leads to the frontal fortification, consisting of two orillon bastions in front of the moat which bear the names of their famous Italian engineers, Martinengo and Savorgnan. A curtain between them holds the main arched gate with the impressive wooden door, due to its thickness and size. Walking through the gate we pass another large, stone bridge which crosses a broad ditch along which runs a 19th century barracks accommodating the Records/Archives Offices of Corfu’s Prefecture and the Public Library. A few years ago, the area below the bridge was converted into a modern conference hall.

Walking on the right hand-side at the far end of a leveled area is the nicest and largest church of the island, Agios Georgios (St. George), which holds 4.000 people. It was constructed in 1840 by the British for their soldiers, as a Protestant church. The owners of Agios Spyridon church donated the altar. The outer court of the church is decorated with six high stone columns in Doric style. Since 1865 it operates as an Orthodox Church. During the war from 1940-1941 the church was damaged but in 1956 it was repaired again.

St.George lighthouse

Church of St.George (Agios Georgios) The clock tower and the cross The light house

Going uphill following the road towards the Akropolis we come in view of the beautiful bell-tower with the clock which rings every half an hour on a daily basis. In the Akropolis, a Venetian warehouse was saved and next to it is a two-storey building the ground floor of which was used as a prison. Under the Land Tower there are some galleries which were used as shelters during the 2nd World War.

In 1822, at the south edge of the Tower top, operated the first lighthouse of the Greek seas, which in 1924 became automatic and revolving. On the other edge is a big cross where, before the war, a flag was hoisted up every day.

Walking downhill from the Land Tower, we come in view of the British Hospital which stretches from one peak to the other. A few stone steps higher is the Sea Tower where a big Venetian powder-keg has been saved. On our way back we meet the natural fort ¨Kaposidero¨ or Saint Isidoros Cape, as it is often reported, on which the only remaining signs of Byzantine fortification exist. A vaulted passage leads to the old port of “Mandraki”, which itself also retains a monumental gate, now closed. Now it hosts the Corfu’s Sailing Club.

The City Of Corfu

The city of Corfu - M.A.Salmon - 1740

Walking around the Old Fortress areas we come across different water tanks of interesting construction and of great capacity which were used by the civilians and the citizens in case of emergency.

The buildings in the castle constructed by the Venetians were of great importance and they served as residential premises for military, political and aristocratic people. The most important one of these buildings was the Governor’s palace which sadly does not exist anymore.
On May 21st 1864 the flag of the British occupants was taken down from the Old Castle for the last time. It was replaced by the Greek flag.

Most of the information were taken from the books of Giorgos Sourtzinos "Toponymia" and "Corfu, A Journey Through the Ages"

Feature Property for sale

Six stone houses in Old Peritheia

A cluster of six stone houses of a total of 377 sq.m floor area, set in approx. 800 sq.m of land, in the village of Old Peritheia on the North part of the island. Old Peritheia is one of the oldest villages in Corfu dated back in 1374 B.C. It is located in an altitude of 700m, below the summit of Mount Pantokrator. With 130 houses of Venetian architecture and a significant number of churches, the village is protected by the state as a historical monument.

A few tavernas offer local and traditional specialities and work all year round. The beautiful beaches of Agios Spyridon, Kalamaki, Apraos and Almyros are just 12 klm away. Acharavi and Kassiopi with all amenities are 15 klm away.The houses are located at the top end of the village near the old school and very close to the old shop and the village square where two of the existing tavernas are situated. They are in need of complete renovation. They all have small gardens and village views.

Asking price: € 380,000 - £300,482 http://www.x-rates.com
For further details please contact: nenilam@jonathanedunn.com or click here

A lesser known fact about Corfu

Vido Island

Vido Island
Part of Vidos island with mount Pantokrator in the back - picture taken on October 9th, 2008

Just opposite the harbour of Corfu and only one mile away is the historical isle of Vido. It is a rocky-green island full of gentle hills. Its surface is 640,000 sq.m. and its perimeter almost 5 km. Since 427 BC – according to Thoukididis - the isle of Vido has its own history which is intimately connected with Corfu’s history. Due to its location in the entrance of Corfu’s port - between the Old and the New Castle - it was always an inseparable part of the island.

Parallel with its history, the story of the island’s name - which was different in each period of time - unrolled. Initially, it was mentioned by Thoukididis with the name ¨Ptychia¨. The Byzantines and the Angevines called it "Agio Stephano" due to the existence of an ancient church by the same name which was built from the Saints Iason and Sosipatros during the first Christian years.

In the 15th century during the Venetian sovereignty the island was called Isola Malipiero from the well-known Venetian Malipiero family. It was later named Guido Malipiero after the name of a family member. And by corrupting the Guido to Vido the Corfiots established the new name of the island. The first written record of this name dates back to 1473.

During the French period the name was changed into “the Island of Peace” a name which was matching the green, picturesque and tranquil character of the little island. But in 1916 it became known as the Island of Death, because thousands of Serbian soldiers died there from infectious diseases. During different periods of time a few unsuccessful attempts to call the island with the ancient name Ptychia were made but finally today’s name “Vido” prevailed.

During the Venetian sovereignty, Vido isle was full of olive trees, vineyards and flowers and it was presenting an idyllic picture of a garden in the middle of the sea.

Let’s see some important dates:

1797 – 1799 the French built the first protecting wall around the island
1804 – 1814 a more methodical fortification is built by the French with three entrenchments like forts called "Scholembourg", "Saint George" and "Alexandros"
1814 – 1864 the British demolished all the French works and they constructed the castle of Agios Georgios, using the techniques of that period of time, ruins of which are maintained until today and reveal this historical period of the island.
1864 with the unification of the Ionian islands with Greece and before the British depart they blew up the Vido’s forts as it was agreed in the treaty. On the summit of the isle you can still see its ruins
1926 a rural prison is operating on the island
1939 the Yugoslavian government built a memorial for the Serbian soldiers who died in Corfu during World War I
1948 – 1976 a reformatory is operating on the isle for young offenders

Vido Island

Vidos island, picture taken from a helicopter, June 2007

Nowadays the biggest part of the island is green while in 1940 it used to be completely bare. Then Ioannis B. Sordinas (1882-1956) one of the first agricultural scientists and father of the well-known professor of pre-historic archaeology Augoustos Sordinas, fought for the reforestation of the island so that we can now enjoy the green island with the pine, olive, cypress and almond trees.

In the last few years the Municipality of Corfu have put in place several schemes to improve facilities available on Vido which have resulted in an increased number of visitors to the island from both Corfiots and foreigners during the summer months. Now there are tracks for walking, facilities on the beaches, a taverna and a bar for refreshments and a boat service runs from the Old Port every hour.

Most of the information were taken from the books of Giorgos Sourtzinos "Toponymia" and "Corfu, A Journey Through the Ages"

A Character from Corfu's past:

Corfiot Village girl, 1900

The photo is from the book of Dimitris Kantas "Traditional dresses of Corfu"

The Jonathan Edward Dunn Team