Corfu Town
The capital of the island of Corfu is called Corfu as well (Greeks call it Kerkyra) but is better known as Corfu Town to distinguish from the island name. It is situated on a peninsula on the east coast of Corfu, with a permanent population of around 40,000 inhabitants, making it one of the largest island capitals in Greece.
This town is a must-to-see destination when you visit the island. The architecture reminds more of France and Italy than of Greece. It has an old town with narrow stone streets and old Venetian fortress on a hilltop, overlooking the sea. Corfu Town has the largest square in the Balkans – the Spianada, with beautiful seaside park. You can see also several museums and old stone theater from 1663. Numerous cafes, restaurants and shops are scattered on the streets. The main places of interest in the Old Town are the Old Fortress by the sea, Liston, the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, the Church of St. Spyridon, the New Fortress, a stone theater from 1663, etc.
The town has two harbors from which ferries and excursion boats depart, and from the bus station you can catch a bus to any location on the island. The international airport Ioannis Capodistrias is also here. highlights: capital of the island, town in Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece
Palace of St. Michael and St. George
The Palace of St. Michael and St. George is an impressive historical building in the old town of Corfu, near the old fortress and the sea. It was built in the beginning of 18 century and it was intended to serve as a residence to the Lord High Commissioner Sir Thomas Maitland who was a governor of the Ionian islands at that time. It was also home to the Order of St. Michael and St. George and thus its name. Later it was used as a royal residence by the Greek king until 1967.
Today the palace is open to visitors and houses the Museum of Asian Art (the only one of its kind in Greece) and an art gallery which shows exhibitions from all over the world. The Asian Art museum will surprise with more than 11 000 objects from the Chinese, Korean, Indian and Japanese culture, including pictures, sculpture, porcelain, contemporary Chinese dolls, etc. The museum works every day except Monday, from 8:00 to 16:00.
The original furniture and interior of the palace is preserved, and the well kept garden is a nice place for walk and photos. highlights: impressive historical building with the Museum of Asian Art, museum in Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece
Info: feelgreece.com
