Figure 1.--Herecwe see a rural scenevon Corfu with some boys and a cillage in the background. It was probably taken in the 1890s by B. Borri e figlio, this was a notable Borri father and son photographic firm. |
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The best known Ionian island is Corfu. The island has fascinating history dating back to ancient times. It also played a role in World War I. Corfu today is a popular tourist destination. The island is located just off the Western coast of Greece. It has a mild Mediterranean climate along with wondurful beaches. It is very green compared to other Greek islands. It has hot, dry summers combined with winter rain create lush vegetation. The vegetation is dominated by over 2 million olive trees. Since ancient times, olives have dominated the economy. The Island charms the tourist with two historic forts, narrow streets, tall houses, arcades, a Venetian-built Town Hall, the Saint Spyridon church (dedicated to the island's patron saint), flower-filled gardens, and balconies with beautiful wrought-iron fences. This small island is a kind of paradise on Earth. From Paleokastritsa to Kanoni, from the Achillion to Pontikonissi and the northern coast, the visitor finds crystal clear water, scenic coves, greenery and vegetation that falls into the deep blue sea.
The island is located just off the Western coast of northern Greece. It has a mild Mediterranean climate along with amazing beaches.
Corfu is very green compared to other Greek islands. It has hot, dry summers combined with winter rain create lush vegetation.
The best known Ionian island is Corfu. The island has fascinating history dating back to ancient times.
Some claim that Corfu appeared in Homer's Odyssey. The Phaeacians were said to reside there. In more historic times, Corfu was involved in the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. The island was eventually absorbed into the Roman Empire, beginning a conflict between Italy and Greece to control the island. While very close to Greece during times of Italian aceendency, Italians have controlled the island. The castle at Kassiopi is a Roman structure. After the division of the Empire, Byzantium gained control of Corfu (337 AD). Not much is known about Corfu in the early medieval era. Historians have found a Byzantine reference to Corypho (968). This is the location of the old fortress. The Crusaders of the Fourth crusade seized Constantinople and Corfu was transferredc to Venice (1204). Corfu was subsequently transferred to Epirus and then to Sicily. It was then seized by the Angevins (Norman dynasty). The Venetians regained control (1386). The Ottomans who conquered the Balkans did not seize Corfu. Thus it was a Greek community not ruled by the Ottomans. The Venitians ruled Confu until the wars of the French Revolution began to reshape Europe (1797). The French seized Venice and as a result ruled Corfu during the Napoleonic era. The island was transferred to Britain at the Congress of Vienna (1815). It became a British protectorate. Britain played a major role in achieving Greek independence from the Ottomans (1820s). The British eventually transferred the Island to Greece (1864). After Serbia resisted an Austrian offensive in World War I (1914), a combined Central Powers offensive with Germany and Bulgaria joining the Austrians broke through Serbian lines. Eather than surrender, the Serbs retreated to the coast and Allied shipping brought them to saftey on Corfu. The Italians in World war II invaded Greece (1940). They occupied the country with German help (1941). When Italy surrendered to the Allies(1943), the Italians on Corfu resisted German occupation. The Germans proceeded to massacre the Italian troops. The Germans than trasported the small Jewish population to Auschwitz.
The vegetation is dominated by over 2 million olive trees. Since ancient times, olives have dominated the economy. Olive oil was a prised commodity bin the abcient workd. Corfu today is a popular tourist destination. The Island charms the tourist with two historic forts, narrow streets, tall houses, arcades, a Venetian-built Town Hall, the Saint Spyridon church (dedicated to the island's patron saint), flower-filled gardens, and balconies with beautiful wrought-iron fences. This small island is a kind of paradise on Earth. From Paleokastritsa to Kanoni, from the Achillion to Pontikonissi and the northern coast, the visitor finds crystal clear water, scenic coves, greenery and vegetation that falls into the deep blue sea. Corfu as a result is one of the favorite destinations of Greece and the Greek Islands and attract many tourists, especially Italians.
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