AtCorfu Travel Blog

Corfu is best known for a series of things

Beyond its natural beauty, what is Corfu famous for?

Corfu is famous for many things. It was a melting pot of Greek, Venetian, French, and British influences, evident in its architecture, traditions, and cuisine.

These diverse influences make Corfu famous and distinct from the rest of Greece, with its Old Town resembling an Italian rather than a Greek town.

The following list highlights some unique architectural and cultural aspects that set Corfu apart from the Greek landscape:

The Esplanade and Liston Promenade

Spianada Square, one of Europe’s largest squares, is a central hub in Corfu.

It is bordered by the Liston Promenade, a historic arcade originally constructed as military barracks by the French in the early 19th century. Designed by architect Mathieu de Lesseps, the Liston was inspired by Paris’s Rue de Rivoli and was repurposed into a stylish promenade with elegant arched terraces.

Today, it is lined with cafes and restaurants, serving as a key location for social and cultural events on the island. The Liston’s architecture reflects both Venetian and French influences, contributing to Corfu’s unique character.

Kumquat Liqueur and Spoon dessert

Corfu is renowned for its kumquat fruit, which originated in China.

The tiny citrus was introduced to the island by the British, and it has since become a local specialty.

Unique to Corfu and a few other European locations, kumquats are used to create distinctive local products.

The island’s kumquat liqueur captures the fruit’s tangy flavor, while kumquat spoon desserts are traditional preserves enjoyed as a sweet treat. These local delicacies highlight Corfu’s unique adaptation of this exotic fruit.

Easter Traditions and Celebrations

Corfu’s Easter celebrations are renowned for their unique traditions, including the dramatic custom of throwing clay pots from windows during the Holy Saturday Resurrection ceremony.

This tradition, which symbolizes the renewal of life and the arrival of spring, fills the air with the festive sound of breaking pots.

During this period, Corfu becomes a bustling hub, with visitors flocking to experience the island’s vibrant Easter festivities. The influx of tourists highlights the significance of these celebrations in Corfu’s cultural calendar.

Pontikonisi (Mouse Island)

Located near Kanoni, Pontikonisi, or Mouse Island, is a small but picturesque island. It is famously paired with the nearby Vlacherna Monastery, which enhances the island’s charm and beauty.

This serene spot is a popular attraction, offering stunning views and contributing to Corfu’s enchanting landscape.

Corfiot Bands and Music

Corfu’s musical tradition is characterized by its use of wind and brass instruments, which are prominently featured during religious processions and festivals.

The island’s bands bring a unique and vibrant sound to local celebrations, reflecting Corfu’s rich cultural heritage and adding to its festive atmosphere.

Corfiot Dialect

The Corfiot dialect was a Greek dialect with a unique touch of Italian influence.

This influence is evident through the incorporation of Italian words that were Hellenized over time. Though now considered a dead dialect, with only a few elderly residents remembering it, the dialect remains a testament to Corfu’s historical connections with Italy.

Historical Crossroads

Corfu’s rich history is marked by significant influences from the Venetians, French, and British. These diverse cultural impacts are reflected in the island’s architecture, traditions, and overall culture, creating a unique blend that distinguishes Corfu from other Greek locales.

Venetian Architecture

Corfu’s architecture is deeply influenced by Venetian rule, featuring narrow streets, arched doorways, and pastel-colored buildings. This distinctive style is particularly prominent in the town, showcasing the lasting impact of Venetian design on the island’s urban landscape.

Old and New Fortresses

The Old and New Fortresses in Corfu are prominent landmarks offering panoramic views of the island.

Dating back to Byzantine and Venetian times, these fortresses are key historical sites that highlight Corfu’s strategic military significance and architectural heritage.

Achilleion Palace

Built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the Achilleion Palace is a stunning neoclassical estate featuring statues and gardens inspired by Greek mythology.

The palace reflects a blend of grandeur and artistic influence, making it a key historical and cultural site in Corfu.

Corfiot Cuisine

Corfiot cuisine is a rich tapestry of Venetian, French, British, and Greek influences.

It features distinctive dishes such as Pastitsada, Sofrito, and Bourdeto, showcasing a blend of flavors and traditions unique to the island.

Population and Historical Significance

Corfu, the most densely populated Greek island, is notable for its historical achievements.

It is home to Greece’s first university, commercial bank, electricity factory, and modern theater, reflecting its significant role in the country’s development.

Palace of Saints Michael and George

The Palace of Saints Michael and George is a unique architectural landmark, notable for being the only Georgian-style palace outside the UK.

Built during the British Protectorate of Corfu, it features elegant neoclassical design elements and was originally constructed to house the British High Commissioner.

Today, it serves as a museum and hosts various exhibitions, showcasing its historical and cultural significance.

Royal Birthplace

Corfu is the birthplace of several European royals, including Prince Philip of Edinburgh. This historical significance adds to the island’s rich cultural heritage and its connection to European royalty..

The Durrells

The renowned Durrell family lived in Corfu from 1936 to 1940. Their time on the island inspired Gerald Durrell’s famous memoir, My Family and Other Animals, highlighting the family’s deep connection to the island’s landscape and culture.

Cricket

Corfu is home to Greece’s only cricket team, a legacy of British influence on the island. This unique sport reflects the historical ties between Corfu and Britain.

Ottoman-Free

Corfu remained free from Ottoman rule throughout its history, resulting in a distinct absence of Ottoman influences in its culture and architecture.

Corfu Musical tradition

There is a huge long-lasting musical tradition on the island.

The city today has three main philharmonic societies. The Old Philharmonic, the Philharmonic of Mantzaros, and the Philharmonic of Kapodistrias, whose orchestras often give excellent concerts.

There are also bands in many villages, and on certain days they all play in Corfu Town to loud cheers from their supporters.

Italy influenced the musical tradition and many artists created their music schools with classical influences.

Is the so-called Ionian School of Music divided into two periods? The first until 1870 and the second until the early 20th century.

In Greece, the Ionian School was finally overthrown by the so-called National School, created by the “Germanists” Georgios Nazos and Manolis Kalomiris.

The Ionian School of Music

Greek-born Ionian musicians were the Corfiot George Lambellet and Cefalonian Dionysios Lavragas. Members of both the Ionian School and the “National School”.

They were in constant quarrels with “Germanist” Kalomiris who accused them of the Ionian music being related to the Italian.

The founder of the Ionian School of Music was Corfiot Nikolaos Chalikiopoulos Mantzaros(1795-1872).

Ionian school includes many important musicians and composers, of the first and second periods.

Corfiot and Ionian Islands Musicians

It is worth mentioning some musicians.

From Corfu

Domenikos Padovas (1817-1892), Spyros Xindas (1814-1896), and Spyros Samaras (1861-1917).
Eduardo, Louis, George, and Napoleon Lambellet are members of the large Lambellet family.

Other composers were Joseph Liveralis (1820-1899), Leonidas Alvanas (1823-1881), Joseph Caesaris (1845-1923), Spyridon Caesaris (1859-1946), Dimitrios Andronis (1866-1918), Sotirios Kritikos (1888-1945), and Alexandros Grek (1876-1959).

From Zante (Zakynthos)

Pavlos Karrer (1829-1896), Frangiskos Domeniginis (1809-1874), and Dionysios Viscardis (1910-1999).
Suzana Nerantzi from Zakynthos was a great woman pianist and student of Mantzaros in Corfu.

From Kefalonia

Dionysios Lavragas (1864-1941), Antiochos Evangelatos (1903-1981), and Spyridon Spathis (1876-1959) from Sami island.

From Ithaka

Dionysios Rodotheatos (1849-1892).

Others

Antonios Kapnisis (1813-1885), George Lambiris (1833-1889), Lavrentios Kamilieris (1878-1956), Georgios Axiotis (1875-1924), and Georgios Sklavos (1886-1976).

Literature

But also in literature, the Ionian Islands have created their own Ionian School.

With writers and poets such as the prominent figure of Dionysios Solomos from Zakynthos (1798-1857), who lived for 30 years in Corfu.

Many others such as Aristotelis Valaoritis from Lefkada, Andreas Laskaratos and Ioulios Typaldos from Lixouri, Gerasimos Markoras from Kefalonia, Iakovos Polylas from Corfu, Georgios Terchetis, and Andreas Kalvos from Zakynthos.

The term “Eptanissian School” was founded by the great Greek poet Kostis Palamas.

Kostis Palamas introduced the literary consciousness and the rivalry between the Dimotiki and Katharevousa. Two forms of the modern Greek language.

One of the main features of the Ionian School was the use of Dimotiki in Poetry.

Corfu’s contribution to the formation of the modern Greek state

The immense contribution of Corfiot intellectuals to the formation of the modern Greek state is well known.

The island has produced world-renowned personalities accomplished in many different spheres.

Corfu has given and still gives a lot in Greece, both culturally and economically through its huge tourist growth, but has not necessarily taken back all that it deserves!

Without mentioning the younger generations, the famous personalities who were born or lived here include:

Corfiot intellectuals

Ioannis Kapodistrias was a politician who, for several years, served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. He was a descendant of a noble family.

From his position, he was involved in many European political affairs, including the constitutional reform of Switzerland, before accepting the responsibility of becoming the first governor of modern Greece.

Nikolaos Mantzaros was another noble, musician, and composer of the Greek national anthem. He was the major representative of the so-called Ionian School of Music.

Dionysios Solomos our national poet was born in Zakynthos(Zante) and lived here for the last 30 years of his life.

Spyros Samaras, another musician was the composer of the Olympic anthem. Yes, the one played during the opening and closing ceremonies of every Olympics.

The famous Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi lived much of his life on the island. As did poets like Gerasimos Markoras, Lorenzos Mavilis, Andreas Kalvos, and Iakovos Polylas.

All above were members of the Ionian School of Literature.

A former Greek prime minister was Corfiot George Theotokis, whilst his relative Nikolaos Theotokis became the archbishop of Russia.

The important Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and St Filomena were born here.

The unforgettable actor Nikos Kourkoulos originates from Corfu. Also, Albert Cohen and the singers Vicky Leandros and Nana Mouskouri were born here.

There are hundreds of others not mentioned. Even Giacomo Casanova spent much of his life in Corfu and finally was forced to leave as he had an affair with the young wife of the Venetian proveditore.

Summary

Corfu boasts a rich musical tradition, with three renowned philharmonic societies that regularly perform. Influenced by Italian music, the island became the birthplace of the Ionian School of Music, founded by Nikolaos Mantzaros, and produced notable composers like Spyros Samaras, creator of the Olympic anthem.

Corfu’s literary scene also flourished, with figures like Dionysios Solomos, author of Greece’s national anthem, contributing to the Ionian School of Literature. This vibrant cultural history continues to shape Corfu’s identity today.