This UNESCO listed town is absolutely beautiful. In 1923 the League revealed its impotence by dodging action in the Corfu crisis, in which Italian troops...…, Corfu, island in the Ionian Sea (Modern Greek: Ióvio Pélagos), with adjacent small islands...…, Benito Mussolini, Italian prime minister (1922–43) and the first of 20th-century Europe’s...…. From simply irresistible emerald beaches to traditional little villages, these islands tick all the boxes! Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This article was most recently revised and updated by. Une fois l'été, de nombreux Madelinots se rendaient sur place pour voir le bateau. Venetian sovereignty was restored in 1401. Sitting in the Ionian Sea, several miles west off of Greece 's northwest coast and Albania's southwest coast, Corfu is the second largest of the Ionian Islands. It’s a guidebook favorite because of the European-influenced architecture left behind in Corfu town by the Venetians, Romans and other empires who’ve ruled the island. Corfu TOP EXCURSIONS. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Vidos Island. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Olive and cypress trees against the mountainous background of northern Corfu (Kérkyra), Greece. In 1923 Italian forces bombarded and held Corfu briefly, following the murder of an Italian boundary delegation. ANEK LINES connects the port of Corfu with the ports of Ancona and Bari, with regular itineraries during the high season, offering top quality services and authentic Cretan philoxenia on board. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Having Corfu as your base, you can do trips to some awesome Greek islands near Corfu. Incorporated into the Napoleonic empire (1807), it became a British protectorate after the emperor’s final defeat (1815). "The clearest waters in Corfu island, the best beach bars and restaurants and of course the best place to relax and enjoy your holidays!!" The island’s favourable position between Greece and Italy attracted powers from east and west. Vidos Island lies at the mouth of the Port of Corfu and is most famous for its quarantine of Serbian soldiers during World War I. Corfu as an island sheltered many Serbian soldiers and civilians following their retreat from the Austro-Hungarian forces, although they kept many of the dying and sick on Vido to prevent outbreaks. Omissions? maquettes du corfu island qui fit naufrage le 20 décembre 1963,et moi et mes amis avons tournés un film documentaire sur le sujet(le naufrage oublié) This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Corfu-incident, History Ireland - Ireland and the Corfu Crisis, 1923. In August 1923 Italians forming part of an international boundary delegation were murdered on Greek soil, leading Benito Mussolini to order a naval bombardment of Corfu. 8. Fun Fact #2 The longest influence in Corfu was the Venetians, which left their mark making it feel more like an Italian town. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The twin-peaked old citadel, with fortifications built by the Venetians (1550), was once an islet. Voici une entrevue tenue le 9 décembre 2008 à Radio-Canada avec Georges Gaudet, scénariste et coréalisateur, avec Luc Fontaine, d'un documentaire Find all the transport options for your trip from Corfu to Navagio right here. Modern Kérkyra (Corfu), the chief city, port, and capital of the dímos, lies on a peninsula on the east coast. Today this reputation has led to parts of the island being defiled by mass tourism, but despite this, the Corfu of literature does still exist. The name Corfu is an Italian corruption of the Greek koryphai (“crests”) and is often a more familiar moniker to visitors than the Modern Greek name. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Corfu is studded with whitewashed houses, Byzantine churches, and the remains of Venetian fortresses and Greek temples. Corfu took no active part in the Persian invasion (480 bce) of Greece, but in 435 it sought the assistance of Athens in a quarrel with Corinth, a request that became a primary cause of the Peloponnesian War. Upon the dismemberment of the Venetian republic (1797), Corfu was assigned to France, but the French garrison soon was expelled by a Russo-Turkish fleet. Corfu is believed to be the island of Schera in Homer's Odyssey. Unique in many ways, Corfu has it all to impress: beautiful nature, mix of architecture styles due to its vibrant history, culture and wonderful Mediterranean hospitality. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Proudly independent and even hostile to its mother city of Corinth, the new colony was reduced (c. 600 bce) by the Corinthian tyrant Periander, but later it regained independence and devoted itself to commerce. You will find below a list of the best beaches in Corfu island. If you need a place to begin, try the World Heritage Old Town of Corfu City, which is guarded by two mighty Venetian fortresses that withstood everything that the Ottoman Empire could throw at them. Le Soleil «Enfin!» C'est ce que s'exclament plusieurs Madelinots, alors que les travaux entourant l'analyse de l'épave du Corfu Island, qui gît depuis 53 ans sur une plage achalandée des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, débuteront dans les prochains jours. A Corinthian colony established about 734 bce supplanted a settlement of Eretrians from Euboea. Its old town, with its labyrinth of hilly, narrow streets, is a seat of a Greek metropolitan and a Roman Catholic bishop. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. What are the islands of the Maldives made of? Updates? A Variety of Choices. Here’s how to find the best of Corfu … 20/12/1963 : Naufrage du Corfu Islands à l’Étang-du-Nord. Wander the ancient streets of the Roman village of Kassiopi or explore the central Esplanade of the eponymous Corfu Town. The island was restored to Greece in 1944. Le Corfu navigue en pleine tempête entre les Îles de la Madeleine et l’Île d’Anticosti. Omissions? (Thucydides does not let his readers entirely lose sight of two other causes much discussed at the time—the Megarian decrees and the complaints of Aegina about its loss of autonomy. According to legend, the island was Scheria, home of the Phaeacians in Homeric epic. Pop. In 1204 the island was annexed to the Greek despotate of Epirus but passed back to King Manfred of Sicily (1259) and then (1267) to the Angevins of Naples. Corfu, Modern Greek Kérkyra, ancient (Latin) Corcyra, island in the Ionian Sea (Modern Greek: Ióvio Pélagos), with adjacent small islands making up the dímos (municipality) and pereferiakí enótita (regional unit) of Kérkyra (also called Corfu), Ionian Islands (Iónia Nisiá) periféreia (region), western Greece. Dossier spécial tiré du Magazine LES ÎLES – Automne 2014 Le cœur se souvient toujours des histoires … The main cruise port on the island is located within walking distance of the town of Corfu. First and the most important place to see on the island is its capital city - Kerkyra. Sort out the facts about islands across the globe. Corfu (/ k ɔːr ˈ f (j) uː /, US also / ˈ k ɔːr f (j) uː /) or Kerkyra (Greek: Κέρκυρα, romanized: Kérkyra, pronounced ()) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the margin of the northwestern frontier of Greece. Diapontia islands consist of 3 small islets with a distance between 2 and 7 marine miles from the coast of Corfu. Don’t let the size of this Greek island fool you! 20 décembre 1963 : Naufrage du Corfu Islands à l'Étang-du-Nord. Visit Corfu Town. The cosmopolitan island of Corfu is located in the Ionian Sea, in Greece. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The island of Corfu is an intermediate port on the Italy- Greece route, i.e. Voulant accélérer la cadence, le capitaine Peter Paschalis demande d’alourdir le navire en emplissant les ballasts de 3000 tonnes additionnelles d’eau de mer. The Corfu Trail is an epic 93-mile (150-kilometer) trek starting from the south of the island and ending on the northern tip. In August 1923 Italians forming part of an international boundary delegation were murdered on Greek soil, leading Benito Mussolini to order a naval bombardment of Corfu. Olive trees predominate, but figs, oranges, lemons, grapes, and corn (maize) are also cultivated. The island is well watered, fertile, and reputed to have the most attractive countryside of the Greek islands. In succession it fell to Goths, Lombards, Saracens, and Normans and was fought over by the kings of Sicily and the Italian city-states of Genoa and Venice. The second-largest Ionian Island has seen the Byzantines, Venetians, French and British come and go over the last 1,000 years, and all these cultures have left something behind. It attracts millions of tourists every year that visit the island for its elegant architecture, its greenery, the traditional villages and the wonderful beaches around the island. A Variety of Choices. Many Corfu beaches are organized and lined up with hotels, seaside restaurants, water sports centers, and beach bars. In 1962 a palace built (1890–91) for Elizabeth, empress of Austria, was converted to use as a casino. (2001) city, 30,140; island, 107,879; mun., 111,081; (2011) city, 24,838; mun., 102,071. Corrections? Fun Fact #2 The longest influence in Corfu was the Venetians, which left their mark making it feel more like an Italian town. Rome2rio makes travelling from Corfu to Navagio easy. Corfu Hotel Deals: Find great deals from hundreds of websites, and book the right hotel using Tripadvisor's 458,952 reviews of Corfu hotels. Sitting in the North of the Ionian Sea, Corfu in Greece is strongly influenced by the Venetians, the French and the English and for this reason has a cosmopolitan, multicultural charm. Updates? After 303 the island changed hands several times for a quarter century. Le Corfu Island analysé... 53 ans après son naufrage. In 31 bce Octavian (later the emperor Augustus) used it as a base against Mark Antony, but his foundation of Nicopolis Actia on the site of his victory caused Corfu to lose a great deal of its prestige. Paleokastritsa is the most famous beach resort, while other nice Corfu beaches include Agios Gordis, Pelekas and Glyfada. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. After the Greeks appealed to the League 2. Corfu Cruise Port. Corfu incident, (1923) brief occupation of the Greek island of Corfu by Italian forces. Corfu, Modern Greek Kérkyra, ancient (Latin) Corcyra, island in the Ionian Sea (Modern Greek: Ióvio Pélagos), with adjacent small islands making up the dímos (municipality) and pereferiakí enótita (regional unit) of Kérkyra (also called Corfu), Ionian Islands (Iónia Nisiá) periféreia (region), western Greece. Is one of the most popular destinations and one of the first islands to open to tourism. The island escaped the great earthquake of 1953, which destroyed large parts of the southern Ionian Islands, and became very popular with tourists. The Greek island of Corfu, also known as Kerkyra, has been under the control of many different cultures and nations, giving it a cultured and fascinating history. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 3 years ago. The north-eastern corner of Corfu is as beautiful a chunk of the Greek islands as I have seen. Due to being under Venetian rule from the 14th century to the late 18th century, this stunning architecture can still be found on this island — especially in the capital of Corfu Town. Corfu is believed to be the island of Schera in Homer's Odyssey. Corrections? Of limestone structure, the island is mountainous in the north and low in the south. Seized in 229 bce by the Illyrians, it was delivered by the Romans, who retained it as a naval station and made it a free state. 1st stop: Paxi. What is the world’s largest archipelago? In World War II the city was again bombed by the Italians and occupied in succession (1941–44) by Italians and Germans. Exports include olive oil, fruit, grain, and wine; Corfu’s manufactures include soap and textiles. Corfu Town is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Find out everything about your holidays in Corfu on our travel guide! If you are not up to a 20 minute walk, a local bus into town is available. Lying just off the coast of Epirus (Ípeiros), it is about 36 miles (58 km) long, while its greatest breadth is about 17 miles (27 km) and its area 229 square miles (593 square km). Corfu incident, (1923) brief occupation of the Greek island of Corfu by Italian forces. Discover the best things to do in Corfu, fantastic beaches, top hotels, and restaurants, as well as a wide selection of breathtaking photos!. Many of its buildings and other landmarks were destroyed in the fighting of 1943, but the Royal Palace (1816), a former residence of British governors and now a museum, escaped the destruction. Diapondia islands Placed few kilometers far from the north-west coast of Corfu island, the Diapontia islands represent a Mediterranean Paradise still far from massive tourism. Corfu is a large mountainous island in the Ionian Sea on the west side of the Greek mainland, right at the border of Albania. One 4th-century Athenian orator actually dropped a casual remark to the effect…. After the Greeks appealed to the League of Nations, the Italians were ordered to evacuate but Greece was forced to pay Italy an indemnity. The Greek island of Corfu (also known as Kerkyra) in the Ionian Sea, off the west coast of Greece, is one of the most beautiful island destinations in Greece. In the heart of the Adriatic Sea is Corfu, one of the Ionian Islands. The second-largest town on Corfu, Lefkimmi is probably one of the most traditional and picturesque villages on the island. Corfu (Kerkyra) is one of the most important and beautiful islands in Greece, perhaps the greenest island with dense vegetation, unmatched in natural beauty with dozens of sightseeing, beautiful beaches, and a very dense road network 20/12/1963 : Naufrage du Corfu Islands à l’Étang-du-Nord. Naufrage du Corfu Islands, le 20 décembre 1963. from WebTVdesiles PRO . For a DIY spa experience, lather yourself in mineral mud on the shore of the Canal D’Amour. The island of Corfu is Greece's large, green Ionian Island. the Ancona or Bari to Corfu - Igoumenitsa – Patras crossings. So, let the exploration begin! Johanne Fournier. …Thucydides’ first, introductory book concern Corcyra and Potidaea. From the writings of Gerald and Lawrence Durrell to the place where the shipwrecked Odysseus was soothed and sent on his way home, Corfu has been portrayed as an idyll for centuries. British administration displeased the inhabitants, however, and in 1864 Corfu was ceded, with the other Ionian Islands (Iónia Nisiá), to Greece. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Corfu quit the war in 410, but a new alliance with Athens (375) resulted in hostilities with Sparta. In 2007 the Old Town of Kérkyra was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its northeastern protrusion, close to the Albanian coast, trends east-west and reaches a peak in Pantokrator Mountain (2,972 feet [906 metres]); the other range, in the island’s centre, is lower. It’s a fairly easy hike, with lots of signage, and you’ll weave your way through hills, mountains, lakes, lagoons, monasteries, and tiny towns. Warning: Get ready for some jaw-to-the-floor moments! Corfu TOP EXCURSIONS.