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Greece / Corfu Island / Corfu Sightseeing (Korfu, Kerkyra) / Archaeological Sites and Historical Information Corfu, Greece – Corfu Museums & Attractions
Corfu Sightseeing - Museums, Archeological Sites & Attractions in Corfu (Korfu, Kerkyra) Greece
[ ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ] [ HISTORICAL & RELIGIOUS SITES ]
[ MUSEUMS ]
There are many interesting archaeological, historical and religious sites on the island of Corfu, making it ideal for sightseeing lovers.
Below we name some of the most prominent sightseeing on Corfu Island .
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¤ ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN CORFU ¤
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| The
Ancient Site of Palaiopolis |
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.: The Ancient Site of Palaiopolis
The Ancient Site of Palaiopolis is located near Mon Repo. Palaiopolis
was the ancient agora of Corfu (Kerkyra) Island.
» The most noteworthy monuments of the site are: the
agora (market), the Doric style Temple of Kardakios, the Roman Baths
and Post-Hellenistic curved building. On the site is a museum where
findings from the area are exhibited.
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| The Grave
Monument of Menekratis |
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.: The Grave Monument of Menekratis
The Monument of Menekratis is located in Garitsa, Corfu. It was constructed in
the 6th century BC and was discovered in 1843. One of the most
impressive parts of the monument is an Archaic 10 verse inscription,
which is considered one of the oldest inscriptions in Greece.
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| The Ruins of
the Roman Baths |
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.: The Ruins of the Roman Baths
They are thought to be a part of a group of Roman buildings, located in Acharavi, Corfu. They were discovered in 1985 .
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| The Ruins of
the Roman Baths |
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.: The Ruins of the Roman Baths
The finest feature of the baths is its mosaic floor. They are situated in Benitses, Corfu .
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| The Temple of
Artemis Gorgous |
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.: The Temple of Artemis Gorgous
At the site visitors can see the well -preserved Doric style temple and
the large alter. It was constructed in the 6th century BC and
discovered in 1822.
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¤ HISTORICAL & RELIGIOUS SITES IN CORFU ¤
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» Aggelokastro
Aggelokastro (or Angel Castle) is located near Krini and was
constructed in the 13th century. It has an arched front gate, while
inside the castle there are ruins of the chambers and the storage
rooms. There is also a church in honor of the archangels Gabriel and
Michael built in a cave.
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The Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)
The Old Fortress, located on the eastern side of Corfu's (Kerkyra's)
port, was built initially during Byzantine times. It was reinforced by
the Venetians and later by the British. It had a moat and a draw
bridge, which now has been replaced by a steel bridge that connects the
fortress to the city.
» The most significant monuments in the fortress premises are:
the central gate, the Savornian, Martinengo and Mandrakios ramparts,
the land and sea towers, St. George's Church, the Roman Temple, the
prison, the British hospital and the British barracks. The fortress is
also home to several public offices such as the Municipal Library, the
Archives, the Byzantine collection, the Conference Center, as well as
the clock tower and the lighthouse.
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.: The New Fortress (Neo Frourio)
The construction of the New Fortress in Corfu Town began in 1576 and was completed in 1645. The fortress overlooks the old port and is considered a masterpiece of fortress architecture.
» The most significant attractions of the
New Fortress are: the British barracks, the underground stoas,
water ducts, ammunition storage rooms etc. The Museum of Ceramic Art is
housed here. Theatrical performances, exhibitions and concerts are also
held on the fortress premises.
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.: Achillion Palace
The Achillion Palace was built in 1889-1891 as the home of Princess
Elisabeth von Witelsbach of Austria (known as Princess Sissy). Princess
Sissy was captivated by Greek Mythology and thus named the mansion
"Achillion" after the Greek mythological hero Achilles.
Throughout the palace and its grounds there are statues of the Olympian gods and the 9 musses. A huge statue of Achilles stands in the gardens, and another on the outdoor stairwell. On the terrace there are busts of Greek writers and scholars. Inside the palace much of the furniture is engraved with Greek gods and mythological tales. After Princess Sissy's death Kaiser Wilhelm II bought the palace and used it as his summer house till WWII. The Achillion Palace is located a short distance from Corfu Town, in the settlement of Gastouri .
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.: Pontikonissi
Pontikonissi is a picturesque isle just off the coast of Corfu
(Kerkyra). Boats depart frequently to the isle to visit the Byzantine
church and sit in the cafe that is located amongst the trees.
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.: Kanoni
A French battery canon still remains.
There is a lovely view of Pontikonissi and the Monastery of Virgin Vlachernas from the site. It lies near Corfu Town .
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» The Kaiser's Bridge
The bridge, located near Benitses, Corfu, was used by Kaiser Wilhelm II to reach the beach from Achillion Palace .
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| Splianada
Square and Liston |
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.: Splianada Square and Liston
Splianada Square is the main square of the island and the central meeting spot for locals and visitors, situated in Corfu (Kerkyra) Town. It was constructed to resemble the European Royal Gardens. It is the largest square in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe
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During the summer months, symphonic orchestras perform at the kiosk
that is situated in the square.
Next to Splianada Square is Liston, a wide promenade with French and
Venetian style buildings, which is always full of people enjoying their
coffee, drink or snack at one of Liston's many cafes.
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| The Church
of St. Spyridon |
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.: The Church of St. Spyridon
The Church of St. Spyridon St. Spyridon is the patron saint of Corfu (Kerkyra) Island. The church was built in 1589, in Corfu Town. It holds many excellent relics and has magnificent icons .
The remains of St. Spyridon are held in a silver reliquary in the
church, which comes out in procession during the town litanies.
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| The Church
of The Virgin Ant. |
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.: The Church of The Virgin Antivouniotissa
The church has some exquisitely intricate ecclesiastical art and houses the Byzantine Museum. It is located in Corfu (Kerkyra) Town .
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| The Church
of The Virgin Spil. |
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.:The Church of The Virgin Spiliotissa
Was built in 1577 in Corfu Town, and possesses some impressive ecclesiastical art.
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.: The Byzantine Church of St. Jason and St.
Sosipatros
A beautiful Byzantine domed church was built in the 11th century and filled with Byzantine art of the 11th and 12th centuries. The church is situated in Corfu Town (Kerkyra) .
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| The Mon. of
the Virgin Mary |
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.: The Monastery of the Virgin Mary
The Monastery of the Virgin Mary is situated above Paleokastritsa. It
was founded in the 13th century. The building premises of the monastery
were constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries. There is a small
museum in the monastery that exhibits Byzantine and ecclesiastical art,
as well as a skeleton of a whale.
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¤
MUSEUMS ¤
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| The
Archaeological Museum |
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The Archaeological Museum
The contents of the museum's impressive exhibits originate mainly from
excavations of several ancient sites on the island as well as an
excavation in Epirus and cover the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and
Roman Periods.
- Built in: 1962-1965, expanded in 1994
- Collections and contents: Bronzes,
Statues, Pediments, Marbles, Pottery, Funeral Offerings and Minor
Artefacts
- The Archaeological Museum of Corfu
(Kerkyra): 1, Armeni Vraila st, 49100, Corfu, Ionian Islands,
Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 30680 or +30 26610 43452
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» The Byzantine Museum
The museum is housed in the Church of Panagia Antivouniotissa, which is
believed to be built during the 15th century and is a wonderfully
preserved ecclesiastical building.
- Built in: The 15th century. Museum
established in 1984. Renovations made till 1994
- Collections and contents: Icons and
religious artefacts from the 15th to the 19th century
- The Byzantine Museum of Corfu (Kerkyra):
Antivouniotissa Church Arseniou, 49100, Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 38313
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» The Museum of Asian Art
The Museum of Asian Art contains exquisite collections from Asian
countries. The building has a long history as it has been used for many
official political purposes such as Headquarters of the British
Commission and the Headquarters of the Ionian Senate, as well as the
Greek Royal Family's summer residence. The majority of the exhibits are
donations from prominent Greek citizens, the Municipality of Corfu and
the National Archaeological Museum.
- Built in: 1819-1824, established in
1927
- Collections and contents: Chinese
artefacts from the Ming, Sung, Tcheou, Chang, Han, Wei, Ch'ing
dynasties, Japanese artefacts such as weapons and masks and artefacts
from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, Korea, Thailand and Siam.
Furniture, portraits, medals, paintings and relics of the presidents of
the Ionian Senate and of the particular era.
- Additional activities: periodic
exhibitions
- The Museum of Asian Art : St. Michael and St. George Palace, 49100, Corfu (Kerkyra), Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 30443
- Fax : +30 26610 20193
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» The Kapodistrias Museum
The museum's contents are donations by Maria Desylla-Kapodistria, who held the office of Mayor of Corfu from 1956 to 1959. The museum is built on the family property of Greece's first governor Ioannis Kapodistrias .- Established in : 1981
- Collections and contents : Furniture and artefacts of the era, personal articles of Ioannis Kapodistrias.
- The Kapodistrias Museum : Evropouli, 49100, Corfu (Kerkyra), Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 39528 or +30 26610 32440
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» The Solomos Museum
This museum is a tribute to the life and times of Dionysios Solomos,
Greece's national poet who wrote the poems "Eleftheri Poliorkimeni"
(Free Besieged) and "Ymnos eis tin Elefthrian" ("Hymn to Freedom") from
which the two first stanzas became the Greek National Anthem.
- Collections and contents: Furniture,
portraits, photographs and personal articles of Dionysios Solomos.
- Additional activities: Library
- The Solomos Museum : 1, Arseniou St, 49100, Corfu (Kerkyra), Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 30674
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| The Museum
of Ceramic Art |
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» The Museum of Ceramic Art
The Museum of Ceramic Art contains a wide variety of ceramic objects
that are distinctive of Corfu Island.
- Collections and contents: Ceramic
Folklore Art.
- The Museum of Ceramic Art : "New Fortress" - English Barracks, 49100, Corfu (Kerkyra), Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 27370
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» The Ionian Bank Museum of Banknotes
The Banknote Museum is one of a kind in Greece and one of the existing
few in the world. It is now under the auspices of Alpha Bank.
- Collections and contents: Banknotes
issued from 1839 to 1920, the first banknotes issued by the National
Bank of Greece, a banknote from China that was issued in 1300 AD and is
considered one of the oldest in the world, post-war banknotes from
other countries, documents, seals, photographs, coins, stamps, etc.
- Additioanal activities: Workshop
- The Ionian Bank Museum of Banknotes:
Iroon Kypriakou Agona Square, 49100, Corfu (Kerkyra) , Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 41552
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» The Serbian Museum
The Serbian Museum exhibits relics that belonged to the Serbian Army
that found refuge on Corfu after the Austro-Hungarian attack during
WWI.
- Collections and contents: Ammunition,
uniforms, flags, medals, religious items and other minor artefacts
- The Serbian Museum : 19, Moustoxidou St, 49100, Corfu (Kerkyra), Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel . +30 26610 33960
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| The
Municipal Art Gallery |
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» The Municipal Art Gallery of Corfu
The Municipal Art Gallery holds a large collection of works by 19th
century Corfiot artists, many of which were donated by prominent
citizens.
- Collections and contents: Paintings
- Additional activities: lectures,
periodic exhibitions, educational programmes for children ages 8-12,
book presentations, young artists' exhibitions, chamber music concerts,
history of art seminars.
- The Municipal Art Gallery of Corfu:
St. Michael and St. George Palace, 49100, Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel:
+30 26610 44606
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| The
Historical Folklore Museum |
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» The Historical Folklore Museum of Middle
Corfu (Kerkyra)
This museum focuses on traditional everyday life of the 19th century
inhabitants of Corfu villages.
- Established in: 1989
- Collections and contents: Furniture,
crafts, cookery utensils, the interior of a village house, tools,
musical instruments, costumes.
- The Historical Folklore Museum of Middle
Corfu (Kerkyra): Sinarades, Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel: +30 26610 54962
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» The Sea Shell Museum
The Sea Shell Museum contains findings from the Indian and the Pacific
Ocean, as well as from the Mediterranean Sea. It has received an award
from the I.R.E.D.A. Research Institute in Italy.
- Established in: 1989
- Collections and contents: shells,
fossils, sponges, corals, embalmed fish, lobsters, crabs, snakes,
sharks and shark jaws, sea-urchins, etc.
- The Sea Shell Museum: Benitses, Corfu (Kerkyra),
Ionian Islands, Greece
- Tel: +30 26610 72227 or +30 26610 42900
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