Taverna Sebastian - Agios Gordios, Sinarades, 49084, Corfu. tel/fax: +(30) 26610 53256 email: sebtee@otenet.gr
CorfuThe island of love........ |
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Corfu Island Corfu is one of the most beautiful and green islands in Greece. It combines natural beauty together with a cosmopolitan life style influenced by its many visitors over the centuries.
The mixture of Greek, British,
Venetian and French influences have impacted on the local architecture,
culture and food making Corfu one of the most attractive island and cities
in the Mediterranean. The buildings in the old city remain intact and
wandering through the narrow streets is like a lesson in history and
architecture. The town has two major fortresses as well as numerous small
squares and fountains. The most famous is the Liston Square which lies
behind the Venetian fortress, and is home to the islands only cricket pitch. |
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Corfu Town (Kerkyra) Corfu town is the largest town in the Ionian islands and one of the most interesting cities in Greece. Built on a promontory between two Venetian castles, Corfu's architecture is influenced by the Venetians who for centuries controlled the island. The population of the town of Corfu is about 30,000 and swells to significantly more during the summer months. At the heart of Corfu Town is the old centre, a maze of little streets (more reminiscent of Venice than Greece) bustling with residents and visitors. Shops, cafes, tavernas and washing all line the streets! you can spend hours wandering up little alleyways and drinking in the laid back Greek atmosphere. Liston Square One of the most beautiful walks in the town is around the Esplanade, one of the biggest squares in Europe. Designed by the French and turned into a public square it is planted with trees and flowers. Situated on the western side of the Esplanade is the Liston. This famous arcade was built during the imperial French occupation as a replica of the larger 'Arcades' of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Lined with coffee shops the Liston is the fashionable place amongst Greeks to drink coffee and pass their time with friends. Opposite is the cricket pitch, the only place in Greece where cricket matches are played! Museums There are several interesting museums located in Corfu Town. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu houses finds from excavations from the archaeological sites of the island. The Museum of Asian Art (the only Asian museum of Greece) is housed in the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint Georges and The Numismatic Museum of Corfu houses a rich collection of banknotes, coins, bank documents and stamps. The Old Fortress is separated from the rest of the town by a moat and this area is one of the most beautiful spots in the city. There is a 60 foot metal bridge which now stands where the old draw-bridge used to be. The fortress has been inhabited continuously for 1500 years and historically it is probably the most important monument on the island. It is also one of the most beautiful places on the island with great views of the city and mainland Greece opposite. The New Fortress was built between 1576 and 1588. The Venetian fortifications are considered a masterpiece of military architecture. From the four original gates of the fortress only two survive, the Porto San Nicolo at the north end of the Esplanade and the Porta Spillia, east of the fortress. Nowadays it houses the Corfiot Naval Base and well as some really nice restaurants and bars along the path up to the top. As with the Old Fortress there are spectacular views from the top, it's possible to see Pantokrator Mountain, the whole of the East coast and Vidos Island opposite. It's possible to visit the island using the regular ferryboat service from the port - the beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters are well worth a visit. Agios Spyridon Situated in Corfu Town, the church of Agios Spyridon is the most famous on the island. Built in 1589 to replace the older church of Sorokos, destroyed during the construction of the town’s walls, it is a single nave basilica which has the highest bell-tower of all the island’s churches. This bell-tower has a unique red dome and clock, similar to the bell-tower of the Orthodox Church of Agios Georgios (Saint Georges) in Venice. Agios Spyridon, to whom the church is dedicated, is the patron of the island who, before becoming a bishop, started his life as a shepherd in Cyprus; he is related to many miracles such as the salvation of the island from the Turkish occupation, the famine and the epidemics. His relics were brought from Constantinople and are preciously kept in a golden shrine from Venice. Every 12th of December, the feast name of the saint patron is celebrated during which the saint’s relics are carried through the streets of the town. Even today he is said to cure people and perform miracles. |