About Corfu
Villa Meli Afionas Corfu
Corfu Town is one of the most impressive historic places not only in the Ionian Islands, but in the whole of Greece as well, and rightly so. Built centuries ago by the Venetians, it retains a timeless grace and charm that captures the heart of every single visitor. Within a 45- kilometers’ drive from our luxury villas in Corfu along the idyllic north east coast, Corfu Old Town sits between two hills, on top on which stand the impressive Old Fortress and New Fortress, strong reminders of the Venetian rule in the Ionian Islands from the 15thuntil the late 18th century.
A very short period of French rule at the beginning of the 19th century left its strong mark on Corfu’s main square, the Esplanade, the largest square in the Balkans which was designed after the French garden architectural standards. The French element was also imprinted on thesunlitListon arcade at the western side of the Esplanade, built by the French engineer Lesseps, that bears a strong resemblance to Rue Rivoli in Paris.
On one of the back streets behind Liston arcade, the imposing red bell tower of Agios Spyridonchurch, where the saint’s remains are kept on public display, emerges above the terracotta rooftops, the tallest building in Corfu Old Town, to denote the patron saint’s presence in the social and cultural life of the island. Of course, multiculturalism refers also to religious belief and besides the prevailing Christian Orthodox faith with about 39 churches scattered across Corfu Old Town, the Catholic cathedral called “Duomo” is located in the Town Hall square and you can visit the Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, all situated within a short walk from Liston.
You may opt to sit down for a cup of coffee in the morning or an aperitif by dusk in a one of the countlesscharming little squares around Corfu Town. You may wander through the endless maze of small stone paved streets, called “kantounia” in the Campiello area, the oldest part of Corfu, taken by the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle from back yards and flower beds on balconies. Perhaps you will visit one of the many interesting museums, like the Museum of Banknotes, the Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine museum of Panagia Antivouniotissa Church and the Serbian Museum, with unknown stories from the First World War.
