Corfu

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Corfu (Port of Entry)

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	39°38′N, 19°55′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Corfu or Kerkyra (Κέρκυρα) is the northernmost and second largest, after Cephalonia, of the Ionian Islands. Its area covers 592 km² and the length of the island is 217 km. It is mountainous with the highest mountain being Mt. Pantokrator (914 m) but there are several flat areas, the largest being the Ropa valley. There are two lakes: Korission and Antinioti, and four small rivers, often dry in summer at Potamos, Sidari, Messogghi and Lefkimi. The climate is mild without being bitterly cold in winter and the summers are humid. The heavy rainfall and the high humidity encourage the profuse growth of vegetation. Therefore, the island has a lot of greenery, even in the summer. It is the most densely populated area in Greece after the great urban centers of Athens and Thessalonica. According to the latest census figures, the population of the island is 105,000 with 35,000 people living in the town.

According to Mythology, the name of Kerkyra in Greek is derived from the nymph Korkira, daughter of the Asopos River. Mythology says that [1], the god of the sea, fell in love with the nymph, kidnapped her and brought her on the island which took it name. Homer’s “Odyssey” relates the island to one of the adventures of Ulysses. It is the island where he met Nausicaa, the daughter of the King Acinous.

The first Greek settlers were Eritreans from Euboea in the 8th Century. Later, a group of refugees from Corinth came on the island and founded a colony. The town, trading with all the towns of the Adriatic Sea, quickly became an important commercial center with a powerful navy. It also developed an important colonial activity and became independent from Corinth. The two towns became competitors and many conflicts took place between them. During an important battle, Corfu asked for help to the Athenians. The Athenian support to Corfu was one more reason for the rise of the Peloponnesian Wars. The alliance between the two towns lasted for almost a century when the Macedonians, under Philip II, won a decisive battle in 338 B.C.

The Macedonians conquered Corfu and put it under their protection. The island, in 300 B.C., was attacked and conquered by the Spartans. They were followed Illyrians and then by the Romans.The Romans ruled on the island from 229 B.C. until 337 A.D. During their rule the island had some autonomy but, in return, Corfu had to allow the Romans to use the town’s port and ships. Around 40 B.C., two Christian disciples of Saint Paul, Jasonas and Sossipatros brought Christianity on the island, built the first Christian church which was dedicated to Saint Stefanos and preached Christianity.

In 285 A.D. the Roman Empire was divided into the Western and Eastern Empires. The Eastern Roman Empire became later the Byzantine Empire and included the island of Corfu. The Byzantine period lasted until 1267 A.D. During this period, the island was constantly attacked by pirates, barbarians, Goths, and Saracens; no constant peace could be established.

The island also fell for a short period under the rule of the Normans and then Venetians. Half a century of peace followed the Venetian rule when a new threat from Sicily arose. In 1267, Charles of Anjou, the French King of Sicily, conquered the island of Corfu and attempted to replace the Orthodox religion by the Catholic. The Angevins dynasty persecuted the Christians Orthodox and all the churches were converted to Catholicism. The attempt of converting the people to Catholicism failed and the island of Corfu fell again, in 1386, under the Venetian rule. The Venetians were on the island from 1386 until 1797 while the rest of the Greece was under the Ottoman rule. During that period, the island was victim to many pirates’ attacks. The island had a feudal organization and was divided in three classes: the nobles, the bourgeoisie and the commoners. The nobles’ exploitation of the majority led to constant insurrections which were severely suppressed.

In 1797, after Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Venice and after the treaty of Kamboformio was signed, Corfu became part of the French State. Napoleon Bonaparte came on the island as a liberator and burnt publicly the “Libro d’Oro”, the book enumerating the Noble’s privileges. Two years later, in 1799, the fleet of the alliance of the Ottomans, the Russians and the English defeated the French and disembarked on Corfu.

On March 1800, the Septinsular Republic was established in Constantinople but the attempt failed in 1807 when the island was ceded to France again. It was a period of prosperity with agricultural improvements. The Ionian Academy was founded, schools were built and the public services reorganized. During this time, the English started occupying other Ionians Islands and finally occupied Corfu in 1815. The occupation was made officially after the Treaty of Paris in 1815. During their occupation, the Greek language became official, new roads were built, the water supply of the town was organized and the education system improved with the founding of the first Greek University in 1824. Although the island of Corfu has never been controlled by the Ottomans, the inhabitants offered financial help to the rest of Greece which was still under the Ottoman rule and helped them to make the Greek Revolution for Independence.

The Ionians Islands were finally unified to the newly built Greek State in the 21 May 1864. In the 20th century, the island participated as the rest of Greece in the two World Wars. The island suffered great damages and the Ionian Academy, the Library, and the Municipal Theatre were burnt down.

Charts

Corfu from Space
Click for larger view

BA

206 Corfu: Channels

Imaray-Tetra

G11 Nísos Kérkira to Nísos Levkas

NIMA

54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti

Greek

2 Ionio Pelagos

10 Kerkyra

211 Kerkyra I. - Otrando Strait

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
• Olympia Radio - VHF channel 02, 03, & 64

Weather

• See Ionian Sea Weather
• Also see Ionian Sea Currents & Tides

Approach and Navigation

See individual ports.

Check-in facilities

If you are entering or exiting Greece you can either go to Corfu Harbor or to Gouvia Marina.

Ports and Popular Stops

Ports and Popular Stops

Ports

Gouvia Bay

39°39.5′N, 19°51.5′E Gouvia Bay which is located 5 nM north of Corfu town and features a Venetian arsenal of 1716. One can climb to the summit of Mount Pantokrator for a beautiful view of the surroundings and an abandoned monastery of 1347. The village of Kondokali - adjacent to Gouvia - is nowadays more German or English than Greek. Fortunately, the facilities are excellent. The Gouvia Marina, one of the oldest in Greece, is the safe place to leave the boat for any period and explore this lush island. Warning: The approach into the bay can be tricky because of the shallow mud bank. It is easy here to ran aground. Stay within the channel designated by the buoys.

Chart of Gouvia Bay Click for larger view

Corfu Harbor

Plan of Corfu Harbor
Click for larger view

39°38′N, 19°55′E
Corfu Harbor is the main harbor of the island. It is a port of entry. Unless you are entering or exiting Greece and need to clear formalities it is best avoided.

The old harbour of Corfu/Kérkira just east of the customs harbour has the best shelter for the prevailing NW winds. The Corfu Yacht Club is usually for member only, but the smaller NAOK Yacht Club at the other side of Cape Sidhero has a few berths for visitors.

Anchorages

Paleokastritsa

39°40′N, 19°42′E

Palaiokastritsa harbour

Palaiokastritsa, on the East side of Corfu Island, is the "poster" of the island. It first appeared in a watercolor by Edward Lear and since then is appears in every poster or postcard of Corfu. Unfortunately today this idilic cove with its tiny island church has been surrounded by monster high-rise hotels. But if you place your camera carefully you too can get a good picture.

Approaching the cove is difficult because of the rocky shoal. You can either anchor off, if you find room, or go stern-to the quay. It is an excellent all around shelter.

Near the village there are sea caves. From here it is a 1.5 hours climb (with guide; stout footwear required) to the ruined Angelokastro Castle (13th c; panoramic views). There are also many of caves can be reached by dinghy.

Paleokastritsa
Click for larger view

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Gouvia Marina
• Corfu Yacht Club
• NAOK Yacht Club

Yacht Services and Repairs

Also see each Port

Marine Stores

• Main town of Kerkyra has most of what a yachtie needs
• Boatmans World just outside the marina is well stocked

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

At the Gouvia Marina.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

At the Gouvia Marina

Water

At the Gouvia Marina

Electricity

At the Gouvia Marina

Offshore Islands

• Paxos or Paxoi

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The whole island is interesting, if overcrowded. It is best to rent a car or a scooter and allow a few days for exploration. Many of the inland villages are most attractive.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• In town
• There is a Bakery on the East side of the main dual carriage road about 1km up from the marina that sells the most incredible bread and other pastries. The home made Tiramisu that comes in a little earthenware pot is a serious threat to ones cardiac health and safety

Eateries

• There are many good local restaurants and many very bad ones. Best consult an up to date guide

Internet/WiFi

At the Gouvia Marina.

Laundry

• At the Gouvia Marina
• In town

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Cars at the Gouvia Marina
• Cars & Motorbikes in town

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbor, marina, and in several anchorages.

Transportation

There are daily, and in the summer several per day, flights to Athens, ferries and sea-plane to Patras. Please note that in the winter, flights are often canceled.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Cruising the Greek Ionian Sea

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

• Corfu (Wikipedia)

References & Publications

• Gerald Durrell, My Family and Other Animals, Rupert Hart-Davis
• Also see Greece

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• July 1988 --Istioploos
• June 2005 --Atheneoflymington 17:29, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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