Our Mid Life Crisis Gap Year: Exploring Old Corfu Town

Today we caught the number 6 bus from Perama to Corfu Town with the intention of exploring Old Corfu Town.

Old Corfu Town might be a very old Greek town, but it has been run by everyone from the Venetians, to the French, and the British over its history, all of whom have left their mark on the town in regards to architecture, it really is quite an amazing place to walk around.

The bus dropped us off on the edge of the new town, and we could have been in any busy city in Europe, but within 200m the scenery changes from new non-descipt buildings to a wide variety of older buildings with a lot of character.

We made our way to the Spianada, a big park on the east side of the old town. There are some great looking buildings along here which are full of cafes, bars etc referred to as the old Liston buildings.

The Liston Building To The East Of The Spianada

Buildings On The Edge Of The Spianada

Believe it or not, on some weekends they actually play cricket in the the northern park, or Upper Square of the park (Ano Plateia), a legacy of the British being here obviously, we will have to come back on the weekend and have a look and see if they are playing. Apparently the Corfu Philharmonic practice in the southern park, or Lower Square (Kato Plateia) on weekends as well, and it is free to come and sit and listen to them....sounds like a good idea.

Palace of Saints Michael and George

Panagia Mandrakina

We made our way to the eastern edge of the Spianada is the Old Fort (Palaio Frourio), which has built on and over by many people, but originally by the Byzantines in the 6th century. Close by is the Palace of Saints Michael and George (Palaia Anaktora) with lovely little gardens and great views.

Old Fort

Views Around The Sea Side Road

Looking Back At The Old Fort

Wew made our way around the perimeter of the Old Town on the sea side road to the New Fort (Neo Frourio), which was built in the 1500's.......coming from Australia makes all of these dates sound incredible. We are so used to talking about Australia as a convict colony of Britain and that is only a couple of hundred years old...I think we need to study more about Aboriginal history which dates back thousands of years, just a pity they were so nomadic and there are not the old buildings we are all look for when talking about history.

Hallfway around the sea side road we stopped for lunch, Dips, Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes, and Octopus, all washed down with local Beer and Wine......great food and great location with views across to Vido Island, the Greek mainland, Albania, and the highest point in Corfu, Mount Pantokrator.

Lunchtime

Vido Island and Mount Pantokrator

After lunch we continued our walk around to the New Fort and the Port of Corfu.

New Fort and Harbour

From the New Fort we just weaved our way back through the old narrow streets of the Old Town. It was like walking through a maze of narrow laneways that kept opening up on small squares with restaurants and/or churches.