The Emerald Island

Corfu, or Kerkyra in Greek, the capital of the beautiful Seven Islands of the Ionian Sea, is often referred to as the "Lady of the Ionian Sea" , because of its celebrated past, cosmopolitan character and unique natural beauty.

One of Greece's most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world, Corfu is also said to be the most beautiful of all Greek islands.

Known as the "Emerald Island", it features a beautiful rolling landscape cloaked in pine, olive, cypress and eucalyptus trees and an endless coastline washed by the crystal clear waters of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.

The island offers extensive quality accommodation facilities to cater for all tastes, requirements and budgets, as well as a wide choice of activities to suit all interests; from mountainbiking, walking, diving - snorkelling and horse-riding, to historical and religious sites and monuments.

Discover Corfu, the island where the past blends with the present, and the present reveals the past - a place to see, feel, experience and enjoy.

Interesting places to visit:

Achillion Palace
Saint George & Michaels Palace
Mouse Island and Vlacherna
Mon Repos Palace and gardens
The old and new fortresses in Corfu Town
Korission lake
Paleokastritsa
Canal d'amor

Museums
Archaeological museum
Byzantine Art museum
Museum of Asian Art
Serbian War museum
Corfu shell museum
Kapodistrias museum

Historic Data:

735 BC - 435 BC
Under the Corinthians, Corfu became a vigorous power, an economic force with a strong navy.

435 BC - 229 BC
Corfu's powerful navy assisted Athens in several battles, untilPhillip the Macedonian won Athens and took possession of Corfu. Alexander the great (Phillip's son), charmed at the beauty of Corfu, took the island under his protection.

229 BC - 337 AD
Corfiots, after the attacks of pirates from all overMediterranean, as well as the wars with Illyrians asked for
Roman protection. During the first century AD, Christianity was brought to the island by the two disciples Jason and Sosipatros.

337 - 1267
In 337 the Roman empire split and Corfu fell into the eastern section. During the following years Corfu suffered barbarian raids, and in 1147 the island passed to the Norman kingRogiro, and in 1214 to the Byzantines and then became a part of the Despotate of Epirus.

1267 - 1386
The island is under the French King of Sicily, Anjou 1267-1386. In 1386 the Venetians recapture the island, mainly thanks to a number of Corfiot political groups.

1386 - 1797
Four centuries of Venetian rule determined the character of the island. The existing feudal system was corrected through the nobility which was listed in the Libro d'Oro. 
While the rest of Greece was under Turkish rule, Corfu had a rich cultural life and many literary and artistic figures came from other parts of Greece to Corfu.
The education of the working class was undertaken by the priests in the monasteries while the wealthier classes had the opportunity to study in the universities of Italy. The people living in the country were working the land without any economical gain, began to revolt. The Venetians showed a special interest in agriculture, mostly in the cultivation of olives.

1797 - 1814
Napoleon annexes Corfu to the French state. The Frenchoccupation was positive for the island spreading liberal ideas to the academic circles, developing public education and establishing a public library and printing office as well as Ionian Academy by 1814.

1814 - 1864
With Napoleons defeat in 1814, the island is assigned to theBritish. The British guardianship had beneficial effects on both economy and education. The Ionian Academy was established as the first Greek university in 1824, public works like a new aqueduct and a functional road system were created. The Greek language became the official language of state for the first time.

1864 - Present Day
On the first of May 1864 Corfu and the rest Ionian islands were assigned to Greece, leaving the British with the right to choose the king of the newborn country : King George II. 
Corfiot politicians played an essential role in Greek politics, likeG. Theotokis who was the prime minister of Greece for many years. 
During the second world war, Corfu was occupied by the Italiansand the Germans.