Cathedral of Saint James and Saint Christopher, Corfu

Some believe all creatures reincarnate, passing from one form to another. This theory has eluded solid proof, but monuments of institutions change forms more often than not. Take the old cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, once located in the Old Fortress of Corfu.

Roman Catholic from the 13th to the 17th centuries, the structure was a three-aisled basilica with a chapel attached. In the 15th century, the Brotherhood of Saint James and Saint Christopher asked Rome to build a new church and alms-house. The church was consecrated in 1533 by Bishop Cocco.

Heavily damaged in the Ottoman siege of 1571, it was reconstructed in 1658. It was renovated in 1709 by Archbishop Zacco. After the explosion of a nearby powder magazine in 1718, the church was rebuilt smaller. It was renovated again in 1905. In 1943 the Luftwaffe destroyed it again and it was rebuilt again.

The final form is a basilica with a wooden roof. There are three-sided chapels on each side. Arches of monastic vaults connect to the center aisle. The floor rests on four marble columns from the 17th century. A painting of Virgin and Child of 1654 by Greek painter Konstantinos Tzanes is kept in the church.

The central part of the facade is in three parts with Tuscan pilasters. There is a triangular pediment. The appearance is like the late Baroque churches of Venice. A Gothic bell tower with a pyramidal cap is next to the sanctuary.