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EXPLORE / CORFU

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Corfu Town oozes charm, history, fascinating landmarks and interesting
details around every corner.
10 + 1 REASONS Rue de Rivoli in Paris, and hous- important religious buildings,
TO DISCOVER CHIC es some of the island’s most the churches of St. Spyridon, the
CORFU TOWN elegant cafes and restaurants. church of the Blessed Virgin of

THE TOWN HALL: In Vene- the Strangers, and the church
SPIANADA SQUARE (ESPLA- tian times, the building was of St John are all located around
NADE): It became a public a meeting place for the is- this square.
square during the French rule land’s nobles. Today, it hous- THE KAPODISTRIAS FAMILY
and was designed according to es the Municipality of Corfu. MANSION:
1201145476.jpg the French garden architecture IONIAN PARLIAMENT: This Built in 1840, the mansion of
movement. The largest square neoclassical monument was Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first
in the Balkans and one of Cor- built in 1854. In May 1864, governor of the Modern Greek
fu Town’s most significant mon- the Ionian Parliament voted State, was built on the location
uments, Spianada Square is its for the unification of the Ioni- of the family’s former mansion.
main social center, where fes- an Islands with Greece. Vari- FORTIFICATIONS: There is an
Left page: The tivals and parades take place ous inscriptions commemo- impressive 15th century Old
bandstand at
Spaniada Square throughout the year. A small rating this vote surround the Fortress, as well as the New
(top). part of the Esplanade still hosts main entrance of the building. Fortress, both Venetian (al-
The bell tower of
the Church of St. the old English cricket field. PALACE OF SAINT MICHAEL though the latter houses Brit-
Spyridon (bottom
left). Kapodistrias IONIAN ACADEMY: Towering AND SAINT GEORGE: Erect- ish buildings too).
with the Ionian on the southern side of Spiana- ed during the British occupa- CORFU TOWN BY NIGHT:
Academy in
the background da Square, the Ionian Academy tion in 1824 and situated in When it comes to drinking, din-
(middle right). was founded during the British the center of Spianada Square, ing and dancing, this is the hot-
Intricate
architectural occupation in 1824 by Ioannis this impressive neoclassical test, chicest spot in the Ionian
details, like this
relief, can be Kapodistrias, the first Governor building was first used as the Islands.
found all over of the First Hellenic Republic. commissioner’s official resi- MUSEUMS: Solomos Museum,
the city (bottom
right). LISTON ARCADE: Built during dence. Today, it houses the in- Byzantine Museum, Museum
Right page: the French occupation, this su- teresting Museum of Asian Art. of Asian Art, Numismatic Mu-
Corfu Town offers perb arched terrace was inspired SQUARE OF THE SAINT: Un- seum and the Reading Society
ample nightlife
options. by the architectural style of the doubtedly three of Corfu’s most of Corfu.

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