PALEOKASTRITSA - CORFU - GREECE

The old town of Corfu
The view of contrafossa through the Municipal Gardenis too picturesque. As one's gaze leaves the Espianade, after lingering on the Palace, it embraces a magnificent view towards the coastal road with its sea walls.Along this road and up to the Cathedral, narrow lanes lead to the Campiello, the oldest quarter of the town, where the oldest houses and many historic churches of Corfu are to be found. Another notable landmark of the old town is the central market.Nikiphorou Theotoki is the street as the rows upon rows of volta resting on their stone columns, and the tall buildings, present one of the most characteristic aspects of the Old Town.In Corfu town find also the most famous church of the island hich is ST.Spyridon church.

It was built in 1590 and replaced an older church which stood in the Sarocco quarter and was demolished so that the town walls could be erected. It is a single-nave vasilica, as the most of Corfu churches.St Spyridon, is the padron saint of Corfu celebrates feast day is on the 12th of September, but it also celebrates the days on which the mbalmed body of the Saint in carried in solemn procession through the streets of the town.

Along the northen side of the Esplanade, ther is the Palace of St.Michael and St.George. Built in Georgian style, it is the grandest building of the British period and unique in the entire Mediterranean. Its contruction began in 1819 and it served as the residence of the British High Commissioners.It was also the seat of the Order of SS. Michael and George.

An other interesting sight that dominates Espianada square is the Old Fortress.It is linked to the town by a iron bridge, 60 m legth.The Byzantines were the first to fortify one of the two peaks of the citadel, which became known in Venetian times as " Castel Vecchio" or "Castel al Mare".
 
The Venetians later fortified the older peak as well, and built bastions, winding galleries and tunnels. They completed the military intallations of the Fortress by adding barracks, prisonsand granaries.
 
Today, the Venatians walls can still be seen in the Old Fortress.The entire area of Old Fortress is very picturesque and it is worth climbing to the top of the cliff, to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the town.
 
It is very much worth wondering about in, not only because of its impotant historical landmarks but also because of its unique character.
 
The flagstone streets, the tall buildings and the "volta" at the Liston, the picturesque "kantounia" and the lovely old churches, the "mouragia"( sea walls), the "contrafossa dividing the Old Fortress from the Esplanade, give visitors the impression that they stroll in some corner of Venice. Among the loveliest walks is that around the vast Espianade.
 
Three historical periods coexist within it: the Venetian period by the volta at the Liston, and the British Protectorate, of which the Palace is fitting reminder.