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A jewel in the heart of
Mediterranean
ABOUT CORFU
Corfu, the small Greek island in the heart of Mediterranean is the greenest island of Greece and among the most popular holiday destinations. Located at the Ionian Sea, Corfu can offer unforgettable landscapes, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and many more.
ORIGINS
The Greek name for Corfu, Kerkyra, comes from the daughter of the river-god Assopus, a nymph that Poseidon fell in love with. In their ensuing relationship, the nymph and sea god created a race called the Phaeacians (gr. Feakes), skilled sailors that inhabited the island. As for the name Corfu, it comes from the word “corypho” (peaks), name given to the fortified town (old fortress) which was located on two summits.
Since ancient times Corfu has been known as a place of beauty, culture and hospitality. Jason and the Argonauts, with the golden fleece, took refuge in Corfu, in order to escape the Colchs. It was in Corfu that Jason got married to Medea.
In the ” Odyssey”, Homer has Odysseus brought to Corfu - the Island of Feakes, exhausted, to be found by Nafsica, the daughter of the king of the island, king Alkinoos. He offered Odysseus hospitality and a ship to take him back to Ithaca.
A BRIEF
CHRONOLOGICAL FRAME
- Paleolithic position
in the Cave of Gardiki - Neolithic settlement
in Sidari - 775-750 BC:
Settlers from Eretria-Evia - 735-435 BC:
The Corinthians in Corfu - 229 BC-337 AD:
Under Roman rule - 300-229 BC:
Possessed by Spartans / Syracussians / Illyrians - 338-300 BC:
Under the protection of Alexander the Great - 435-338 BC:
Alliance with Athens - 337-1204:
The Byzantine period - 1204-1215:
1st Venetian period - 1215-1266:
Seignory of Epirus - 1266-1386:
The Angevin occupation - 1800-1807:
Independant Septinsular Republic - 1799-1800:
Russian domination - 1797-1799:
1st French domination (Democrats) - 1386-1797:
The (2nd) Venetian period - 1807-1814:
2nd French domination (Napoleon) - 1814-1864:
The British era - 1864:
Union with the Greek State
