MODERN CITY & CULTURE
Corfu Town (Kerkyra) - The Spianada and Liston
The heart of modern Corfu Town is the Spianada, the largest square in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. This sprawling green esplanade was once a vacant area between the town and the fortress, later transformed by the British into a cricket field and a grand meeting place. It is the city’s living room, where locals and visitors alike gather to stroll, relax, and socialize under the shade of the park’s trees.
Flanking the Spianada is the famous Liston Arcade, an elegant row of buildings with arched colonnades inspired by the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, built during the French occupation. Today, it is lined with chic cafes and restaurants, making it the ultimate spot for people-watching and enjoying the sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere that defines modern Kerkyra.
The Municipal Gallery (in the old Church of St. Anthony)
Housed in the beautifully restored former church of St. Anthony in the heart of the old town, the Municipal Gallery is a cornerstone of Corfu’s modern cultural scene. The church itself is an architectural gem, blending Venetian and Byzantine elements, and its sacred space now provides a unique and atmospheric setting for art. The gallery focuses primarily on the works of the Heptanese School of painting, a significant artistic movement that flourished in the Ionian Islands from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Visitors can admire works by iconic Corfiot artists such as Nikolaos Ventouras and Charalambos Pachis. The collection showcases the distinctive style of the school, which combined Byzantine traditions with Western European artistic influences, offering a deep dive into the unique cultural identity of the Ionian Islands.
The Ioannis Kapodistrias Statue and Kapodistrias Museum
Dominating the southern part of the Spianada is the majestic statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias, one of Greece’s most revered modern political figures. A Corfiot diplomat who became the first Governor of independent Greece, Kapodistrias is honored with this prominent monument, symbolizing the city’s pride in his legacy. The statue serves as a constant reminder of Corfu’s integral role in the birth of the modern Greek state.
Just outside the town center, in the beautiful estate of Koukourisa in Evropouli, lies the Kapodistrias Museum. Housed in the mansion that belonged to his family, the museum offers a personal glimpse into his life and work. It contains original furniture, personal items, and historical documents, providing an intimate and educational experience about the man who laid the foundations for modern Greece.
The Corfu Philharmonic Society (Old Philharmonic)
Music is an integral part of Corfu’s culture, and at its heart is the Corfu Philharmonic Society, founded in 1840. Housed in a beautiful neoclassical building in the center of the old town, it is the oldest surviving philharmonic society in Greece. The building itself is a cultural landmark, and the sound of bands practicing often spills out into the narrow streets, a characteristic soundtrack of the city.
Visiting the society’s museum is a journey through the island’s musical history. It displays a vast collection of antique instruments, original scores, and historical memorabilia. The Philharmonic is not just a museum, however; it is a living institution that plays a central role in the island’s famous Easter celebrations and other cultural events, keeping the tradition of brass band music vibrantly alive.