According to the predominant version, Corfu was part of Greece’s mainland during the Paleolithic era, the creation of an independent island occurred during Neolithic era (10.000-8.000 B.C.) when the ice melted and the level of the sea rose. Neolithic traces were found in Sidari. Also, in Kefali, Afionas and Ermones, archeological excavations uncovered Bronze Age settlements.
The first Greek colonization of the island dates back to 775 -740 B.C. by the Eretrians from Euboea, soon followed by Dorian refugees from Corinth in 750 B.C. who created a strong colony. A few years later, the ancient city of Paleopolis was found by Corinthians since they had expelled the Eretrians. Corfu became an important commercial center with a strong naval force, independent from Corinth. The strong political power however divided the island into two, the Democrats and the Oligarchs. Corfu requested support from the Athenians, giving rise to the well-known Peloponnesian war. Corfu’s alliance with Athens lasted a century until 338 BC. At that point the Macedonians under King Philip II took control. King Philip II domination was followed by the Spartans, the Syracusians, the Illyrians and finally the Romans.
Under the Romans reign, public works such as roads and buildings were built and Christianity was spread, by the assistance of Jason and Sosipatros, disciples of Saint Paul. Corfu was also inhabited for several centuries by the Normans and the Franks before falling under the Venetian Rule.
The Venetian domination lasted for four centuries and determined Corfu’s unique profile. Corfiots got familiar with a highly intellectual way of life. However, in 1797 Venice surrender Napoleon Bonaparte’s empire and Corfu became part of the French state.
The ideology of the French Revolution inspired the locals who began dreaming of their own independence. So, in the year 1814 and under the British Rule, the Ionian Islands were declared an independent state which led to economic recovery, extended road network construction and the establishment of emblematic institutions as the first Greek University and the Ionian Academy.
HISTORICAL PAST OF CORFU
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Athens
Athens, a modern metropolis, a european capital, a nest for all the Mediterranean cultures. Athens, the meeting point of East and West, the harbor of everyone, who still loves passionately life! There are so many different ways to describe and analyse Athens, that any given effort to do a short depiction of the city is nothing but a try doomed to fail. Nevertheless, we will try to underline some of the main characteristics of the city of Athens. Visit Virtual TourCrete
Knossos was undeniably the capital of Minoan Crete and is the site of one of the most important and better known palaces of Minoan civilisation. Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years, beginning with a neolithic settlement sometime in the seventh millennium BC, and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC which marked the end of Minoan civilization. It was damaged several times during earthquakes, invasions, and in 1450 BC by the colossal volcanic eruption of Thera, and the invasion of Mycenaeans who used it as their capital, while they were ruling the island of Crete until 1375 BC. Knossos was ruled by the dynasty of King Minos and is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur. Visit Virtual TourSinarades-Corfu
Known from the Homeric myth, as the mythical island of Phaeacians where the shipwrecked Odysseus was soothed by princess Nausika, Corfu continues to welcome visitors from all around the world. Be a synchronous Odysseus and follow the new destination of YouGoCulture initiative. Having the Central Corfu and its old town which is in the list of the Unesco World Heritage Sites, a journey begins in the history, the traditions and the unique beauties of the island. Visit Virtual TourChalcidice
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Situated in continental Greece on Mount Parnassus, Delphi was considered to be one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. It was believed to be home to the goddess Gaia, or Earth, and later to Apollo after slaying Gaia’s son, the snake Python. The Pythian games—similar to the Olympic Games—were held here every four years to honour Apollo’s slaying of the Python dragon. Visit Virtual TourEleusina
A breath away from Athens, the birth place of Eleusinian Mysteries and goddess Demeter challenges you to explore it! Eleusis or Eleusina, as now known, one of the five sacred cities of antiquity enjoys the privilege of being located only thirty kilometers from the historic Athens. But let me refresh it! It could be the privilege of Athens to have so nearby a city full of life and history! Visit Virtual TourLavrion-Sounion
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Even today’s visitors feel that they are in a sacred place as soon as they set foot in the Asklepieion of Epidavros. The place where healing was a religious mystery. The sick were cured by the god Asklepios in their sleep (enkoimesis) or received from him instructions on the therapy they should follow. From the sixth century BC until the end of antiquity, hosts of people resorted to the Sanctuary of Asklepios in expectation that their prayers for healing would be heard and answered by the god. These were patients and pilgrims who arrived there bringing precious votive offerings from all parts of the then-known world. Visit Virtual TourMycenae
Peering over the plain of Argolis, up there from the heights of the acropolis, one comes to terms with the superiority of the Mycenaean civilization. It reached its heyday in the Late Bronze Age (1350 - 1200 BCE) and then disappeared, leaving to eternity its legendary acropolis, built on an inaccessible, rocky hill between two ravines. The footprints of the Atreidai, the mythical royal dynasty, are visible to today's visitor and inspire awe in an era like ours, in which myth meets the history of the most important period of the ancient world. Visit Virtual TourAncient Olympia
What can be said of Olympia and not sound like a cliché? The significance of the archaeological site is self-evident, even if one is not familiar with the fascinating historical details and the political background, which literally span thousands of years. Known to the world as the cradle of the Olympic ideal, this open-air museum of imposing ruins and unique artefacts tells a story of religious piety, fair play, political ambition, and demonstration of power. All the buildings you can still admire were erected to please the gods and send a message to the thousands of visitors who swarmed to the sacred grounds. Walking around the Stadium, the Gymnasium and the Temples of Zeus and Hera – both instrumental in the ritual and competitive part of the Games – modern visitors will be able to understand why the event remained relevant even when the rest of the Ancient World was long dead. As an added bonus to the splendour of the site, the Museum of Olympia boasts some of the most famous works of art produced in the long course of Hellenic culture. Visit Virtual TourMessene
Travelling in the Messenian land from Mount Taygetus to the coast, our glance dives, following the sunlight dipping onto the Messenian plain. From the mountainous volumes to the fertile valley, the olive groves and herbs, we see a landscape of culture, myth, and history, unfold before our eyes. In the heart of the region of Messenia, one town stands out: Ancient Messene. This "blissful plain" as Homer calls it, became a theatre of war and mythical narrations offering a viewpoint on the past and the present. Visit Virtual TourMystras
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