Urban exploration
- Castles & fortifications of Corfu

The old fortress of Corfu - Corfu extreme sports

The Old Venetian Castle

Description : The Old Fortress’s history goes back to the 6th century AD, when the ancient city of Corfu in the Kanoni area, modern Palaiopolis was destroyed from barbaric invasions. It was then that its inhabitants began moving to the natural fortified peninsula of the Old Fortress with the two peaks to better defend themselves from future incursions, so the Byzantine city of Coryfo developed in between. The current form of the fortifications of the Old Fortress is mostly from the Venetian rule. The Venetians took care to secure possession of Corfu due to its strategic and commercial value mostly against Ottoman attacks. They modernised the defensive works with up to date constructions of that period and improved the fortifications with the introduction of heavy artillery into the art of war. During the period of the English rule large scale interventions were made mostly of military purposes. Today the Old Fortress, along with the rest of the fortifications of the Old City of Corfu are Unesco World Heritage Monuments.

Highlights of the tour :

Explore the most important castle and fortified site of Corfu.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Ionian sea and the city of Corfu.
Visit Agios Georgios church and Mandraki port.

Difficulty : Easy

Trail type : Loop

Activity duration : 1,5 hours.

Availability : Daily except Wednesdays.

What's included :

-Entrance fee to the site.

-Expert local guide.

-Vat and taxes.

What you should bring :

- Sports shoes with good grip.

New Venetian Fortress

The New Fortress of Corfu is a Venetian fortress built on the hill of St. Mark in Corfu in stages. The Venetian fortifications were later expanded by the British and the French to help defend against a possible Turkish attack. In the aftermath of the first great Ottoman siege of Corfu in 1537, the Venetians developed plans to expand the fortifications of the city. Due to the great civilian losses of that period and the lack of fortifications for the parts of the city of Corfu located outside the walls of the medieval citadel, the Venetians proceeded with defensive works to build walls and fortifications to strengthen the defences of the wider town lying outside the walls of the old citadel. After the fortification works were completed the Venetians built the New Fortress to further strengthen the defences of the outer city of Corfu and to act as the focal point of the new fortifications.The works had also the effect of widening the defensive perimeter of the old citadel lying inside the Old Fortress. The structure features twin bastions, named Skarponas and Epta Anemoi ("Seven Winds") which has a commanding view of the sea and the mountains of mainland Greece. Inside the bastions there is a maze of arched chambers, galleries, ventilation shafts, ramps, underground cisterns, powder magazines, artillery positions, underground halls and two baroque-styled gates. Its western side features a dry moat which spans the length of the walls, running from the modern vegetable market to the new harbour.

Highlights of the tour :

Explore a fortified site.
Enjoy great views of Corfu.
Visit the fish and vegetables market.

Difficulty : Easy

Activity duration : 1,5 hours.

Availability : Daily except Wednesdays.

What's included :

-Entrance fee to the site.

-Expert local guide.

-Plan route.

-Vat and taxes.

What you should bring :

- Sports shoes with good grip.

The castle of Aggelokastro

Description : The castle of Aggelokastro is considered one of the most important Byzantine castles and fortified complexes of Corfu and Greece that never fell to the invaders through its history. It is located on the Northwest coast of the island, close to Palaiokstritsa and it was built on top of a steep cliff above the sea, that offered great defensive advantage and overwhelming views of the sea, coastline and inland as well. The fortress played a decisive role in defending the island against pirate invitations and during the sieges of Corfu through the centuries. We will hike up to this magnificent castle, we will observe the battlements and the ruins of the tower defending the gate. We will continue with a visit to the church of Archangel Michael on the top of the acropolis and the anthropomorphic graves carved in stone at the foreground. Our last stop will be at the underground chapel of Aghia Kyriaki.

Highlights of the tour :