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Greece / Corfu Island / Corfu History – Historical Information about Corfu (Kerkyra) Island, Greece
Corfu History - (Korfu, Kerkyra) historical facts & information about Corfu Island History
The island of Corfu has a very long and tumultuous history, as many different cultures and nations sought to capture the island as its own. Their influence can be seen in every aspect of present day Corfu (Kerkyra), from its physical appearance and historical monuments to its inhabitants’ disposition and the local cuisine |
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MYTHICAL CORFU
The ancient inhabitants of Corfu were most probably descendents of the
Phaeacians and Nafsika and King Alkinoos. The island has been inhabited
since the Paleolithic Era. It was occupied originally by the Eretrians
and then by the Corinthians, by whom the island was named Korkyra,
after the daughter of the river-god Esopos.
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ANCIENT TIMES
During the
Corinthian occupation, Corfu (Kerkyra, Korfu) became a large commercial and
naval power of the ancient world and produced many notable works of
art. In 585 BC, the island recovered its independence from Corinth. It
contributed 60 triremes to Persian War battles. Later the alliance of
Corfu with Athens during the Peloponnesian War in 431 - 404
BC led to the island's eventual decline. In order to protect itself
against pirates, Corfu (Kerkyra) voluntarily accepted Roman
sovereignty, which lasted up to 337 AD. The island converted to
Christianity around the 1st century AD.
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THE MEDIEVAL ERA
Following
the division of the Roman Empire, Corfu joined the Eastern
Roman Empire in 395 AD. The island at various times during the Medieval
Ages, was plundered by the Huns, Vandals, Goths and Arabs. These raids
devastated Corfu and resulted in the Corfiots moving to more
secure grounds, a naturally fortified location between two rocks, from
which the name Corfu was derived (Koryfi means peak in Greek). Later
the island was occupied by the Normans and was eventually liberated by
the Byzantine Emperor Emmanuel I Komninos.
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THE FIRST ERA OF VENETIAN RULE – THE DESPOT OF EPIRUS – THE ANJOU RULE
In 1204, the Venetians laid claim to Corfu (Kerkyra) after the conquest of the Byzantine Empire by the 4th Crusade. In 1214, the island was recaptured by Michael I Aggelos Komninos, Despot of Epirus, who restored the old privileges of the inhabitants and reinforced the island's fortifications until 1258-1259, when the region was ceded by Duke Michael II to his son in law Manfred. The battle of Beneventum and the Treaty of Viterbo resulted in the transfer of the island to Charles I of Anjou for the next 120 years. Charles I of Anjou had many anti-orthodox feelings and replaced the Orthodox churches with Catholic churches. More and more people were gathering in the basin between the two hills, seeking protection and refuge. It was during this time that the Old Fortress was constructed .
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THE SECOND ERA OF VENETIAN RULE
In the
second half of the 14th century, the island once more sought the
protection of Venice, which bought the island from Naples and undertook
to defend it for the next 412 years. The Venetian administration was
carried out by short-term members of a council that was appointed by
Venice. During this period the Byzantine fortifications were further
reinforced. The island was besieged by Turkish forces in 1537. Many
acres of cultivated land were destroyed and at least 20,000 inhabitants
were killed. The island though, was not captured due to its great
defense.
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THE FIRST FRENCH RULE
From 1576
to 1645, the New Fortress was constructed on the hill of St. Marcus.
The fortress included some of the most powerful and advanced defensive
constructions. The fortifications were again reinforced in the 17th
century with the building of a second wall. In July 1716, a Turkish
fleet besieged the island but the Turkish forces were repelled by the
Venetians.
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THE RUSSIAN RULE
In 1797,
Napoleon Bonaparte took over the administration of Corfu (Kerkyra)
along with the other Ionian Islands. French occupation brought with it
the ideas of the French Revolution. A municipal council was instituted,
headed by Spyridon Theotokis. During this occupation, a municipal
library was established, the police force, the judicial system and the
educational system were reorganized for the better, and the first Greek
printing press was established.
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THE SECOND FRENCH RULE
In 1799 the island came under the control of the Russian Admiral Ushakov, while the Septinsular Republic Constitution was implemented in 1800. Corfu (Korfu) then became the first Greek State to be recognized as a semi-autonomous republic since 1453. During this period, the Orthodox Bishop of Corfu was reinstated. In 1807, with the Treaty of Tilsit, the 7 Ionian Islands were ceded to Napoleon again, who also continued the reinforcement of the fortifications to counteract a possible British attack. The French improved the stylistic appearance of the city by planting trees on Splianada Square and the Liston Promenade, in the style of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. They introduced the cultivation of potatoes and the vaccination of citizens, founded the School of French Art and the Ionian Academy in 1808, the first university of Modern Greece .
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THE BRITISH RULE
In 1814,
the French surrendered Corfu to the British. In 1815 the
Congress of Vienna recognized the Ionian Islands as an independent
state under the protection of Great Britain. During the British
administration, the infrastructure was improved, the Greek language was
establish as the official language of the island, the Constitution was
amended to include freedom of press and various literary and financial
societies were founded.
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THE UNIFICATION OF CORFU WITH GREECE – MODERN DAY CORFU
Corfu (Kerkyra) and the Ionian Islands were united with Greece on May
21st, 1864 by a decision of the Ionian Parliament and the ratification
of the British Government.
Solders of Corfu participated with distinction in the Balkan
Wars, WWI and WWII. In September 1943, the Nazis bombarded Corfu
, causing considerable damage to the island. The Nazi
occupation was terminated on October 9th, 1944.
Since then, Corfu (Kerkyra) has worked on developing its natural
resources and tourism, becoming one of Greece's most prosperous islands
and most popular tourism destinations.
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