I-Heart-Mykonos-tank-top.jpg
Greek-flag-socks.jpg
Santorini-luggage-tag.jpg
save-water-drink-ouzo-t-shirt.jpg

Corfu Town’s Old Fortress

Corfu Town’s Old Fortress is the town’s most striking landmark, standing east of the Old Town on top of a rocky promontory.

The Old Fortress in Corfu TownThe Old Fortress in Corfu Town

The Old Fortress is Corfu Town’s most striking landmark, visible when you approach the city by sea, by air, or along the coast road. It stands east of the Old Town on top of a rocky promontory whose two peaks gave the island its name, and it affords magnificent views over the town and the coastline north and south.

Old Fortress History

The first fortifications were built here in the 6th century, after Goth raiders destroyed the ancient city at Palaiópolis, a little to the south of the modern town, and survivors moved here to the elevated headland with its natural defences.

At the centre of the headland are two hills known as Koryfes – the Greek word for ‘summit’ – from which the town’s medieval name, Koryfo (Corfu in Latin) derived. Over time the Byzantines built up the fortifications, including walls and towers to repel raids by sea, and until the 10th century the entire town was contained within its walls.

View of the Old Fortress Dominating Corfu TownThe Old Fortress Dominates Corfu Town

The Venetians and British

The Venetians rebuilt the walls in the early 15th century, and dug a defensive moat, the Contrafossa, which had a retractable wooden bridge. They extended and further rebuilt the fortifications between 1550 and 1588.

The British destroyed the Venetians’ base here, replacing it with a military barracks and hospital. The Greek Army used the fortress until 1979, when archaeological restorations began and it was opened to the public.

Corfu Town's Old FortressCorfu Town and the Old Fortress

Entering the Old Fortress

Today the fort is entered from the Spianáda, via a permanent bridge across the Contrafossa, which is now a picturesque channel lined with pleasure boats. Outside the entrance is a statue of count John Matthias von der Schulenberg, a German mercenary who led the defence of the island against a Turkish invasion in 1716.

Some Cool Corfu Souvenirs

Paleokastritsa-luggage-tag.jpg

Paleokastritsa Luggage Tag

Corfu-Cypresses-Capri-leggings.jpg

Corfu Cypresses Capri Leggings

Corfu-t-shirt.jpg

Corfu T-shirt

Corfu-tote-bag.jpg

Corfu Tote Bag

Museum and Church

A restored gatehouse now contains a small Byzantine museum (admission included) which features sculptures and mosaics from the basilica at Palaiópolis and fresco pieces from Byzantine churches.

The Church of St George inside Corfu Town's Old FortressThe Church of St George inside Corfu Town's Old Fortress

Inside the fort a right-hand path leads to the neo-classical Church of St George, a garrison church built by the British in 1840 and designed to look like an ancient temple. Restored after damage in World War II, it is now an Orthodox church.

Photo Tip

To take photos from the Old Fortress over Corfu Town, go in the morning when the sun is at your back. You’ll get the best photos of the fort from the Spianáda in the late afternoon when it catches the softer light from the sun in the west.

The Views from the Old Fortress

A steep stone path leads up from the entrance past a Venetian clock tower to the summit of the western peak, known as the Castel a Terra, or Land Tower, with its little lighthouse. From here there are marvellous views across the Spianáda to Corfu Old Town.

To the north you can see Mount Pantókrator, resorts such as Nisáki, and the coasts of Albania and mainland Greece. To the south, the view takes in the southern sweep of the island.

Where to Stay on Corfu



Other Corfu Town pages

  • Corfu Town’s Byzantine Museum is a little gem, one of the town’s top museums with an excellent collection of Byzantine art in a 15th-century church.

    Corfu Town’s Byzantine Museum

    Corfu Town’s Byzantine Museum is a little gem, one of the town’s top museums with an excellent collection of Byzantine art in a 15th-century church.

  • This walk in Old Corfu Town, or Campiello, takes you from the Liston through the narrow back streets and alleyways and should take about one to two hours.

    A Walk in Old Corfu Town

    This walk in Old Corfu Town, or Campiello, takes you from the Liston through the narrow back streets and alleyways and should take about one to two hours.

  • The church of Saint Spyrídon (Ayios Spyridon) in Corfu Town is a must-see site and contains the silver casket of the island’s patron saint.

    Church of Saint Spyrídon

    The church of Saint Spyrídon (Ayios Spyridon) in Corfu Town is a must-see site and contains the silver casket of the island’s patron saint.

  • Corfu’s small archaeological museum holds two of the finest treasures of ancient Greece, the Gorgon pediment and the Lion of Menekrates

    Corfu Town Archaeological Museum

    Corfu’s small archaeological museum holds two of the finest treasures of ancient Greece, the Gorgon pediment and the Lion of Menekrates

  • Kanoni is one of two tiny islands off Corfu, about an hour’s walk south of Corfu Town, and one of the most photographed spots on Corfu.

    Kanoni

    Kanoni is one of two tiny islands off Corfu, about an hour’s walk south of Corfu Town, and one of the most photographed spots on Corfu.

  • The villa of Mon Repos to the south of Corfu Town was once the summer home of the Greek royal family but now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis.

    Mon Repos

    The villa of Mon Repos to the south of Corfu Town was once the summer home of the Greek royal family but now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis.

  • Rising on a steep hill behind the old harbour, the Campiéllo is the oldest district of Corfu’s Old Town.

    Old Corfu Town

    Rising on a steep hill behind the old harbour, the Campiéllo is the oldest district of Corfu’s Old Town.

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Corfu Town, including the best restaurants for a treat, traditional tavernas, and cheap and cheerful good eats.

    Where to Eat in Corfu Town

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Corfu Town, including the best restaurants for a treat, traditional tavernas, and cheap and cheerful good eats.

  • The Palace of St Michael and St George in Corfu Town contains the Museum of Asiatic Art, the Municipal Art Gallery, and the Modern Art Museum.

    Palace of St Michael and St George

    The Palace of St Michael and St George in Corfu Town contains the Museum of Asiatic Art, the Municipal Art Gallery, and the Modern Art Museum.

  • The main sites to see in Corfu Town are listed on our main Corfu Town page, and some also have their own pages, but here are some of the other things to see.

    Sites to See in Corfu Town

    The main sites to see in Corfu Town are listed on our main Corfu Town page, and some also have their own pages, but here are some of the other things to see.

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Corfu Town including hotels near the port, near the airport and in the town centre, with budget and luxury options.

    Where to Stay in Corfu Town

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Corfu Town including hotels near the port, near the airport and in the town centre, with budget and luxury options.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

  1. Storm Elias continues, bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms until Thursday

    The Elias weather system was affecting several parts of the country on Tuesday, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and lightning.

    Read More

  2. EasyJet Launches New Route and Package Holidays to Skiathos

    British low-cost carrier EasyJet and tour operator easyJet holidays have announced the launch of flights and holidays to Skiathos from London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester for next summer.

    Read More

  3. Highway to Athens from Eleonas Toll re-opened to traffic

    The highway to Athens from the Eleonas Toll Station was opened to traffic by opening a lane on the opposite side of the road following its closure due to mudslides.

    Read More

  4. This Less-Visited Region In Southern Greece Has Stunning Beaches & Almost No Crowds

    On my first visit to the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece, I don’t remember what exactly prompted me to jump in a rental car and start exploring. I do remember the route: it was a narrow road…

    Read More

  5. Best Restaurants on Mykonos

    evas-garden-restaurant-mykonos-2.jpg
    Greece Travel Secrets picks its best restaurants on Mykonos, choosing those gourmet restaurants known for their fine dining, and some with tasting menus.

    Read More

  6. Things to Do on Mykonos

    mykonos-pixabay-2.jpg
    There are plenty of things to do on Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, such as nightlife, beaches, churches and visiting the ancient site of Delos.

    Read More

  7. Mykonos

    Mykonos_Greek_food_drink_cruises.jpg
    Mykonos in the Cyclades islands in Greece has cheap and luxury hotel accommodation, car rental, ferries from Athens, Santorini, Crete and other Greek islands.

    Read More

  8. Tsikoudia: Cretan Raki and the Taste of Tradition

    With its distinctive fruity aromas, tsikoudia is more than just a drink - it is a symbol of conviviality, hospitality, and the rich heritage of Crete.

    Read More

  9. New Maria Callas Museum to Open Soon

    A museum dedicated to the legendary Greek opera singer Maria Callas, located in the heart of Athens, will open its doors to the public later this year.

    Read More

  10. European Heritage Days 2023 at the Acropolis Museum

    In celebration of this year's European Heritage Days, the Acropolis Museum in Athens will offer free entry and host a special guided tour for children.

    Read More