Old Fortress, Corfu

Old Fortress, Corfu (must see)

The site of the Old Fortress was first fortified in the 6th century AD. Invading Ostrogoths, as was their wont, had destroyed the nearby city of Corcyra. Local Corcyreans found refuge in fortifications on the promontory of Corfu.

In the 12th century, the Byzantines further strengthened their defenses. A citadel was formed by two peaks with strong towers. The eastern peak was named Castle by the Sea (Castle a Mare) or Old Castle (Castle Vecchio). The peak to the west was called Castle near Land (Castel a Terra) or New Castle (Castle Nuovo).

Venetians occupied Corfu from 1386 until 1797. They mostly replaced the fortifications they found with their own designs. They separated the promontory tip from the rest of the city by digging the Contrafossa, a navigable canal from the Gulf of Kerkyra in the north to the Bay of Garitsa in the south, creating an island citadel.

The fort successfully repelled three determined Ottoman sieges in 1537, 1571, and 1716. After the first siege, military engineers Savorgnan and Martinengo designed new defensive zones with bastions and towers. Access over the Contrafossa was by a drawbridge. A permanent bridge is in place today.

The final Ottoman siege lasted seven weeks. The Ottomans were defeated by troops commanded by Count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg. In 1718, a flash of lightning struck the powder magazine in the Old Castle, creating a chain of explosions. Hundreds died, including the Venetian Commander.

In 1923 both Old and New Fortresses were bombarded by the Italian air force. In the Second World War, Nazis used the Old Fortress as a prison for Jews in transit to death camps in Germany. Out of the 1,800 Jews deported from Corfu, only 120 returned.

Today, the Old Fortress houses the Public Library of Corfu. It is the venue for art and cultural events, and the Hellenistic Music Research Lab of Ionian University is located there.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Corfu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Old Fortress on Map

Sight Name: Old Fortress
Sight Location: Corfu, Greece (See walking tours in Corfu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Corfu, Greece

Create Your Own Walk in Corfu

Create Your Own Walk in Corfu

Creating your own self-guided walk in Corfu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Paleopoli Ancient Ruins Walking Tour

Paleopoli Ancient Ruins Walking Tour

The Archeological sites trace the history of ancient Corfu from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD. The Temple of Artemis Gorgon, located near the monastery of Agoi Theodori Stratias, dates from circa 590 BC. The pediment is thought to be the oldest stone pediment found.

Artemis, in the form of Gorgon, is running as she faces the observer. Her children, Chryssaor and Pegasus, are by her...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Corfu Old Town Walking Tour

Corfu Old Town Walking Tour

Poseidon, the god of the sea, was obsessed with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, the daughter of the river god Asopus. Poseidon abducted Korkyra and carried her off to an unnamed island. He called the island Korkyra, after his lady love. This island later became Corfu.

The medieval castles on the island tell of struggles in the Middle Ages against invaders like Roman-era Germanic tribes, Arabs, and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


10 Things To Do In Corfu, Greece

10 Things To Do In Corfu, Greece

Greek Islands, such as Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, and many others, are a popular destination for people trying to escape the chaotic lifestyle back home. Corfu is one island that has it all: great weather, tasty food, relaxed atmosphere and an abundance of places to explore. The island...