The fortresses of Corfu town

Overview & Quick Tips

Corfu (Kerkyra) is the capital of the Island of Corfu, situated in Ionian Sea. It is a lively town, with buildings made under large influence of Venetian architecture. There are less than 40,000 people living in Corfu, but it is always alive and crowded, since it gets visited by millions of tourists every year.

Detailed information

Even though it is a rather small town, there is so much to see in Corfu, that you will probably need to return at least once more to see it all. And because of the unexplainable magic of this place, it is quite certain that you will also want to return. The town is built in a mixture of styles, with Venetian influence being the most noticeable. It reminds of many old towns built by the sea, yet it is somehow completely different and leaves a uniquely strong impression. Since there is so much to see and visit in Corfu, I would need a whole book to give tips on all of it. Therefore, I will stick to the town’s two fortresses, which have made a pretty strong impression on me.

–Old Fortress – with opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm, you will be able to visit this fortress throughout the day. It is very well kept, and there are not only walls and tunnels, but also several museums, city Archive, library and music school. There is also St. George’s Church, built in the style of a Doric temple.

The view from the Old Fortress is wonderful wherever you look. Deep blue sea and the mountains on one side, and the city on the other. If you enjoy photographing landscape and cityscape, you will have plenty of material. Keep in mind that, if you want to photograph the city, it is better to come in the morning, because the sun sets behind the city view and creates a low contrast and bright direct light, which is unfavorable for taking photos of the cityscape.
The highest point is by the lighthouse, and naturally, the best photos are taken from that point. Wide-angle lens is preferable here, since there is really a lot to capture in one frame.

There are also interesting details to capture within the Old Fortress, since there are old walls, pottery, stairs and doors, with lots of textures, and each of these details seems like it has a story to tell. There are many details like this inside the tunnels or towers, so make sure to bring a tripod, since there may not be enough light.

–New Fortress – the opening hours of the fortress are basically ulimited and there is no entrance fee, but the top can be reached from 9 am til 5 pm. I was there in September and I was told that the top can be reached until 2 pm, so before you go to this fortress, make sure to check the opening hours of the top. I was there late in the afternoon, therefore I was not able to climb all the way up. But in spite of that, the view was magnificent!

This fortress has less content than the old one. There is a bar with a view and that is pretty much it. However, when you walk along the paths and up and down the stairs of this fortress, you can almost see the soldiers marching around or aiming at the approaching enemy ships. This place seems somehow more genuine and more atmospheric than the Old Fortress.

The New Fortress also offers a view of the sea and the city, but since it is across the Old Fortress, it is way better to take photos in the afternoon. The setting sun bathes the town in golden light, and it is the view that I would remember as long as I live, even if I did not have the photos to remind me. Again, wide-angle lens is preferable to use, but a normal lens may also come in handy, since there are many interesting photos that can be captured by photographing the rooftops only.

 

Both of the fortresses offer a great view, and I have never taken so many panoramic images than when I visited them. I recommend the same to you, especially if you do not own a wide-angle lens or you do not carry it with you. Therefore, a tripod is a must, since you can need it for panoramic images, but also for the details in some darker parts of the Old Fortress.

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