AtCorfu Travel Blog

Prehistoric Corfu

Corfu has been inhabited since prehistoric times. During the last Ice Age, lower sea levels connected the island more closely to the Greek mainland. As glaciers melted between 10,000 and 8,000 BCE, rising waters gradually separated Corfu, giving it the insular character it retains today.

Evidence of Paleolithic settlement has been discovered in several locations across the island, including the areas around Agios Mattheos in the southwest and Sidari in the northwest. These findings indicate that human communities lived on Corfu thousands of years before the emergence of the first known civilizations in Greece.

Alongside its archaeological heritage, Corfu is also associated with a rich tradition of legends and epic tales. According to Corfu mythology, the island was named after the nymph Corcyra, whom Poseidon carried to the island.

Ancient traditions also identify Corfu with Scheria, the homeland of the Phaeacians described in Homer’s Odyssey, where King Alkinoos and Princess Nausikaa welcomed Odysseus and helped him continue his journey home to Ithaca.

While these stories remain an important part of Corfu’s cultural identity, they belong to the realm of legend rather than verifiable history. Archaeological evidence has yet to confirm a direct connection between the island and the mythical Phaeacians.

Over the centuries, Corfu attracted settlers and traders from various regions, including Illyria, Sicily, Crete, the Aegean islands, and mainland Greece. These successive waves of migration helped shape the island’s culture and laid the foundations for the historical developments that followed.

Corfu history – Palace of Michael and George

Corfu history – Path to Mouse island

Corfu history – Country side

Corfu History

Corfu History – Gravure of Countryside

Corfu History – Gravure of Mouse island

Corfu History – Gravure of the Palace

Corfu History – Gravure of the port

The Ancient times – the first Greek colonization

Corfu’s history officially started around 775 BCE, with the arrival of Dorians from Eretria of Euboea. This initial settlement saw a significant boost in 750 BCE when Dorian refugees from Corinth, led by Hersikrates, established a robust colony.

Corinthian influence expanded, giving rise to colonies like Epidamnos in ancient Illyria (now Dyrrachium in Albania) and the city of Corfu in present-day Garitsa and Kanoni peninsula.

In 492 BCE, Corfu town, or Kerkyra in Greek, marked a milestone by being the first Greek city-state to build a fleet of triremes. The harbor, now the site of the modern airport, housed this formidable fleet, second only to Athens in ancient Greece, boasting over 300 triremes.

Corfu’s expansion led to a clash with Corinth, resulting in the first naval battle in 680 BCE. After the Corinthians’ failed attempt to occupy Corfu, the Athenians recognized the island’s naval strength and formed a defensive alliance, sending triremes for support.

This alliance endured through the Peloponnesian War, where Corfu actively supported Athenian interests. In 435 BCE, a Corinthian fleet of 150 ships challenged Corfu, but with Athenian assistance, the Corinthians retreated.

In 375 BCE, Corfu joined the Athenian Confederation, playing a role noted by historian Thucydides in the Peloponnesian War, contributing to Greece’s weakening and fracturing.

The war’s inevitability was rooted in Sparta’s concerns about Athens’ expansionist policies. Corfu’s history became intertwined with broader conflicts, leaving an indelible mark on the ancient Greek landscape.

First Roman era (229 BCE– 379 CE)

After the Peloponnesian War, history continued with internal conflicts between democrats and oligarchs, which weakened the state, leading to the dissolution of its alliance with Athens.

Illyrian pirates briefly took control, providing an opportunity for the Romans, who captured Kerkyra in 229 BCE. Granting autonomy to Corfiots, the Romans used the island as a naval base.

Corfu, like many Greek city-states, accepted Roman sovereignty for protection, becoming part of the Roman Empire.

In the first century CE, Christianity arrived, introduced by St. Paul’s disciples, Jason, and Sosipatros.

After Emperor Constantine died in 337 CE, the Roman Empire split into three sections. Corfu found itself in the Western Empire, covering Greece, Italy, and Rome’s African territories. The island’s history unfolded within this changing imperial landscape.

Medieval Times in Corfu’s History

Early Byzantine period (379 CE– 562 CE)

In 339 CE, during Emperor Theodosius’s reign, the Roman Empire was re-divided, placing Corfu in the Eastern Empire, also known as the early Byzantine Empire. This Byzantine period spanned around three centuries.

Sadly, this era was marred by Corfu’s susceptibility to frequent barbarian raids and pirate invasions. The island lacked sufficient protection, making it vulnerable to these threats, which significantly impacted the region during this time.

Corfu history – Palace of Michael and George

Corfu history – Path to Mouse island

Corfu history – Country side

Corfu History

Corfu History – Gravure of Countryside

Corfu History – Gravure of Mouse island

Corfu History – Gravure of the Palace

Corfu History – Gravure of the port

East Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)

During the historic period from 562 CE to 1267 CE, Corfu underwent significant changes. In 562 CE, the island faced a devastating attack by the Goths, resulting in the destruction of the ancient city of Corfu, now known as Paleopolis.

This event marked the end of the ancient city and signaled the beginning of the medieval age on the island. The displaced inhabitants moved north to a natural promontory, forming the foundation for the old fortress. Over time, the new city expanded into what is now the old town of Corfu.

From 562 CE to 1267 CE, Corfu experienced the Byzantine period, followed by the challenging Angevin occupation. Positioned as the westernmost corner of the Byzantine Empire, Corfu faced constant pirate attacks and territorial ambitions from neighboring regions.

To safeguard Corfu, the multicultural Byzantine Empire took extensive measures. They stationed diverse mercenary guards, including Greeks, Syrians, Bulgarians, and stradioti (Byzantine soldiers), across the island. These guards, deployed from the northeast to the southwest, gradually assimilated into the local population.

This era witnessed the construction and enhancement of many fortresses on the island. The old Corfu fortress in the city underwent redesign and fortification. Other fortresses like Angelokastro in northwestern Corfu, Kassiopi, Gardiki in the southwest, and several smaller ones were built, bolstering the island’s defenses.

The turbulent years after the Fourth Crusade (1204 CE – 1214 CE)

In 1204 CE, the Normans of the Fourth Crusade captured Corfu. Shortly after, the Venetians took control, holding the island until 1214 CE.

This period marked a notable shift in Corfu’s history as it exchanged hands between these European powers.

The Despotate of Epirus (1214 CE – 1267 CE)

From 1214 to 1259 CE, Corfu became part of the Byzantine domain of Epirus, specifically the Duchy known as the Despotate of Epirus.

During this period, Despot Duke Michael-Angelos Komnenos the Second oversaw the construction of significant fortifications on the island. These included the Gardiki fortress, located near today’s Chalikouna area, and the Angelokastro fortress, situated in the northwest part of the island north of Paleokastritsa.

These fortifications played a crucial role in the island’s defense during this era.

The Period of Sicilian Rulers

During the tumultuous period from 1259 to 1267 CE, Corfu experienced various attempts by Sicilian rulers to gain control over the island, employing diplomatic means like dowries and, at times, resorting to military force.

The first successful conqueror of the island was Manfred, the king of Sicily. However, following Manfred’s death in battle, his Franco-Cypriot adjutant, named Philip Ginardo, took charge of Corfu.

Subsequently, Philip Ginardo met a violent end, leading the island to fall under the rule of his generals, the Garnerio brothers, and Thomas Alamano.

It is noteworthy that the surname “Alamanos” still exists in Corfu today, indicating a Sicilian origin for some of the island’s inhabitants.

The House of Anjou (1267 CE – 1386 CE)

In 1267 CE, the Angevin King of Sicily, Charles of the House of Anjou, successfully conquered Corfu. Upon securing control, he reorganized the island into four administrative regions: Gyrou, Orous, Mesis, and Lefkimi—names that endure in the region today.

This period saw a significant influx of Jewish people, mainly from Spain, settling in Corfu and establishing the Corfiot Jewish community.

Charles of Anjou also tried to replace the Orthodox Christian faith with Roman Catholicism, aiming to convert Orthodox churches. However, this endeavor proved unsuccessful and concluded when the Venetians regained control of the island.