Corfu's Harbours

Agni - Avlaki - Benitses - Corfu Town (Old Port)- Corfu Town (New Port) - Gouvia - Imerolia - Ipsos - Kalami - Kassiopi - Kouloura - Lefkimi - Mandraki - NAOK - Kerasia - Paliokastritsa - Pentati - Petriti - Queens Quay - San George - San Stefanos (Avliotes) - San Stefanos (Sinion).

A.O. Kerkyra

Corfu's top football club, A.O. Kerkyra, was formed in 1967 following the merger of three local teams. The club's colours are maroon and blue, the colours of the island, and its badge is an ancient Corfiot trireme, the island's emblem. Home matches are played at Corfu's National Stadium which is situated next to the airport. After 36 years in the lower divisions A.O. Kerkyra managed to reach the First Division in 2004 having climbed three divisions in four years. Although the club was relegated after its first season in the top flight, the next season ended in 2006 with Kerkyra celebrating another promotion to the newly formed Greek Super League. Once again relegation followed and today Kerkyra are still playing back in the Second Division. Fans of A.O. Kerkyra are nicknamed Vourligans, a hybrid of "Vourlismenos" ("crazy" in Corfiot dialect) and "Hooligans".

The Judas Tree

The Judas Tree can be found all over Corfu and is one of the first harbingers of Spring. According to Christian tradition, it is the tree from which Judas hanged himself after denouncing Christ. Guilt-ridden, it has been made to blush with shame ever since - a reference to the pink flowers that erupt from the bare stems and trunk before the leaves appear. Judas Trees flower from March to April.

Lazaretto Island

Lazaretto Island, formerly known as Aghios Dimitrios, is located two nautical miles northeast of Corfu. The island has an area of 17.5 acres and comes under the administration of the Greek National Tourist Organization. During World War II the Axis Occupation of Greece established a concentration camp there for prisoners of the Greek National Resistance movement. Remaining today are the two-storied building that served as the Headquarters of the Italian army, a small church, and the wall against which those condemned to death were shot. During Venetian rule in the early 16th century, a monastery was built on the islet and a leprosarium established later in the century, after which the island was named. In 1798, during the French occupation, the islet was occupied by the Russo-Turkish fleet, who ran it as as a military hospital. During the British occupation, in 1814, the leprosarium was once again opened after renovations, and following union with Greece in 1864 the leprosarium again saw occasional use.

Ginger Beer

Ginger beer, or tsin tsin birra to give it the proper Corfiot name, is still  available in Corfu and can be bought at the cafes on The Liston. A legacy of the British protectorate, the drink is made in traditional fashion using the finest ingredients of grated ginger, lemon juice, lemon oil, water and sugar. The mix is brewed in large cauldrons and is best taken fresh, though traditionally it was stored for long periods in stone bottles that were sealed with little glass marble stoppers and kept in the cool waters of the island wells.

October 28 - Ochi Day

Celebrated throughout Greece on its anniversary each year, Ochi Day commemorates Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas's rejection of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Mussolini on October 28 1940. This ultimatum, which was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece, demanded that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified "strategic locations" or otherwise face war. It was allegedly answered with a single word: όχι or no. In response to Metaxas's refusal, Italian troops stationed in Albania, then an Italian protectorate, attacked the Greek border. Metaxas's reply marked the beginning of Greece's participation in World War II.

Eating Places

Estiatorio - a restaurant offering international cuisine.
Taverna - serves traditional Greek food.
Psistario  - a spit-roast and charcoal grill taverna.
Psarotaverna - a fish taverna.
Kafenio - a village café.
Zaharoplastio  - a café-patisserie.

Kumquat

This is a famous Corfiot liqueur. It is distilled from the tiny kumquat, a citrus fruit that looks like a miniature orange. It is native to South East Asia and was introduced to Corfu in the 1860s. The standard kumquat drink is bright orange, the colour being from the rind; it is very sweet. There is a colourless distillation of kumquat juice which is far more potent and adventurous and can be identified by the twig with attached crystals that floats inside the bottle. All manner of other drinks, candies and sweets are produced using kumquats.

Cicadas

Any summer vistor to Corfu will have heard cicadas chirping in the olive groves. But how many know that cicadas spend most of their life underground. In fact, as nymphs, they live underground for around six to seven years. In contrast, the life of adult cicadas is very short, lasting only a few weeks. After mating, the adult female cicada lays its eggs. It does this by piercing plant stems with its ovipositor (egg-laying spike at the tip of the abdomen) and inserting the eggs into the slits it has made. The eggs hatch into small wingless cicadas which are known as nymphs. They fall to the ground and burrow below the surface. Here they live on the sap from plant roots for a period which may last several years. They shed their skin at intervals as they grow. When the nymph reaches full size it digs its way to the surface with its front legs, which are specially adapted for digging. It generally surfaces about nightfall in late spring or early summer. The nymph then climbs on to a tree trunk or other object and sheds its skin for the last time.

The Ionian Academy

Corfu is the home of the first University of Greece, the Ionian Academy, which was founded in 1824 and upheld and strengthened the tradition of Greek Education while the rest of Greece was still fighting against the Turkish occupation.

Notable Turkish Sieges of Corfu

1537, 1571, 1573 and 1716.

Corfu in Mythology

It is in Corfu that Hercules, just before embarking on his ten labours, slept with the Naiad and she bore him Hyllus, the leader of the Heraclids.
Corfu is also reported to be the place where the Argonauts found refuge from the avenging Colchic fleet after they had seized the Golden Fleece.
In another famous sea adventure, Homer's Odyssey, Kerkyra is the island of the Phaeacians (Phaiakes) where Odysseus (Ulysses) meets Nausica, the daughter of King Alkinoos.
The bay of Palaiokastritsa (and alternatively Ermones) is considered to be the place where Odysseus disembarked and met Nausicaa for the first time.

HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark was born on 10 June 1921 at Villa Mon Repos on Corfu. His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, the fourth son of George I of Greece and Queen Olga. His mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg. The Prince was baptised a few days after his birth at St. George's Church in the Palaio Frourio ("Old Fortress"). His godparents were Queen Olga and the Corfu community (represented by Alexander S. Kokotos, Mayor of Corfu, and Stylianos I. Maniarizis, Chairman of Corfu City Council). Prince Andrew and Princess Alice remained in residence on the Island of Corfu for 18 months. Greece was politically unstable, and it was expected that the monarchy would soon be overthrown. On 22 September 1922, Constantine I was forced to abdicate the throne. A revolutionary court sentenced Prince Andrew, his younger brother, to banishment for life. Fortunately for the family, George V ordered that the Royal Navy vessel, HMS Calypso, evacuate the family, and Philip was carried to safety in a cot made from an orange box.

Some of the Attractions at Aqualand Water Park

The Black Hole
Four Twisters
Kamikazes
Hydri-tube
Crazy River
Lazy River
Slippery Octopus
Screaming Frog
Shower Mushroom

Requirements for a Civil Marriage in Corfu

Full birth certificate
Photocopy of passport
Certificate of impediments to marriage
Decree absolute (if applicable)
Former spouse's death certificate (if applicable)
Deed poll certificate (if applicable)
Adoption certificate (if applicable)
Translations of all documents
Two witnesses

Easter Sunday in Corfu

2007 - 08 April
2008 - 27 April
2009 - 19 April
2010 - 04 April
2011 - 24 April
2012 - 15 April
2013 - 05 May
2014 - 20 April
2015 - 12 April
2016 - 01 May

Consulates in Corfu

The following countries have Consulates in Corfu: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Christmas Elves

While other cultures have Christmas elves, the Greek equivalent is not so benign. Mischievous sprites called Kallikantzari, prey upon people only during the twelve days of Christmas. Descriptions of them vary, and in one area they are believed to wear wooden or iron boots, the better to kick people, while other areas insist that they are hooved, not booted. Some households keep fires burning through the twelve days, to keep the spirits from entering by the chimney and protective herbs such as hyssop, thistle, and asparagus are hung by the fireplace, to keep the Kallinkantzari away. Other households, perhaps less devout, resort to simple bribery and put meat out for them. At Epiphany, the ceremonial blessing of the waters by the local priest is believed to settle the nasty creatures until the following year.

Corfu Stamps

The first Greek postage stamps (see below) were issued in Corfu on 15 May 1859. These stamps had lettering in Greek and values of half a penny, one penny and two pence. The stamps became invalid when the islands were returned to Greece on 28 May 1864. Greek stamps have been used since that time except for two short periods in 1921 and 1941. Following World War I, Italy occupied Corfu and Italian stamps were overprinted during a temporary dispute with Greece. Italian forces invaded in 1941 and stocks of Greek stamps in the islands, mainly of 1937 issue, were over-printed. These were then replaced by Italian stamps overprinted ISOLE JONIE which were used until 1943. In that year the Italian regime collapsed and occupation was taken over by the Germans. They reissued some of the Italian overprints with the additional marking ELLAS (Greece) and 2-x-43 (the date of occupation). Since the recapture of the island, Greek stamps have been used.

National Service

Military service in Greece is obligatory for all able-bodied Greek men between the ages of 18 and 45. The duration of service in is 12 months. Greek women are not obliged to serve in the military. They may, however, join as professionals. Conscientious objectors are required to complete community service for 23 months unarmed military service for 18 months. The Greek government had promised that mandatory military service would be reduced by 2008 or even abolished completely. Too few volunteers for the professional military, however, have forced the government to reconsider.

Corfu Postal Codes and Sorting Offices

49100 - Kerkyra
49080 - Lefkimmi
49081 - Karoussades
49083 - Skripero
49084 - Kastellani Mesi

National Highways

The island is linked by two highways starting in Corfu Town; GR-24 to Paleokastritsa in the north-west and GR-25 to Lefkimmi in the south.

Corfu Locations in "For Your Eyes Only" (1981)

Corfu Town - Bond and Melina 'shopping'.
The Old Fortress - Kristatos' Albanian warehouse.
Vlacherna - Melina arrives by boat.
Villa Sylva - the 'Spanish' villa of hired hitman Gonzales.
Danilia Village - the church where Bond met Q.
Kalami Bay - where Sir Timothy Havelock and his wife are assasinated.
Near Spartilas - where Bond stops his Lotus to look at his road map.
Around Kastellani - this is the road used in the 2CV car chase scenes.
Near Vatonies - used in the first scene after Bond leaves Moneypenny's office.
Pagi - Bond and Melina's yellow Citroen 2CV races some baddies in Peugeots.
Achilleion Palace - the casino scene.
Agios Georgios & Lake Korission - on these dunes Countess Lisl von Schlaf is murdered.
For more information about this, the thirteenth James Bond film, click here.

How to make Greek Coffee

Cricket in Corfu

The first cricket match in Corfu was on 23rd April 1823 between officers of the British Navy and the Garrison. It took only twelve years for the Corfiots to learn the game, form two local sides and start taking on the British. Traditionally matches were played on the famous Esplanade in the centre of Corfu Town, but because of the increased space given over to car parking a new ground was recently built at Gouvia Marina. There are now eleven cricket teams in Corfu: Feax, Byron, Gymnastikos, Achilleas, Kerkyra, GEK, Ergatikos, Nafsithoos, Laodamas, Dekathlo and Atlas.

Flags of Corfu

Ten Most Visited Pages on AllCorfu.com in June

Accommodation
Beaches
Out and About
Maps
Food, Drink and Nightlife
Buses
Holiday Ideas
Recipes (Lamb Kleftiko)
Travel
Information

Campsites

Dassia, Gouvia, Halikouna, Ipsos, Karousades, Kavadades, Kontokali, Messonghi, Paleokastritsa, Pirgi, Roda, Vatos.

Blue Flag Beaches

Ag. Gordios, Ag. Ioannis Strogylis, Ag. Mathaios, Ag. Stefanos, Agios Georgios, Almyros, Alykes Potamou, Apraos-Kalamaki, Arilas, Astrakeri, Avlaki, Barbati, Benitses, Canal d'Amour, Dasia, Ermones, Gimari, Glyfada, Kalamiones, Kerasia, Kommeno, Kontogialos, Kontokali, Marathias, Nisaki/Krouzeri, Paleokastritsa, Perithia/Ag. Spyridonas, Roda, Sidari, Ypsos.

Local names for the winds

North Winds - Vorias, Boreas, Tramonata
NE Winds - Vorias Anatolikos, Gregorio, Grego
SE Winds - Anatolikos, Levante, Ageliotes
East Winds - Notios Anatolikos, Sirocco, Souroko, Euros
South Winds - Notios, Ostra
SW Winds - Notios Ditikos, Garbis
West Winds - Pounente, Ditikos, Zephyros
NW Winds - Vorias Ditikos, Maistro, Schiron
Northerly Winds - Etesians, Meltemi

Herbs and Spices used in Corfiot Dishes

Basil - Vasilikos
Bay Leaves - Dafni
Celery - Selino
Dill - Anitho
Fennel - Maratho
Marjoram - Madjourana
Mint - Dyosmos
Oregano - Rigani
Parsley - Maindano
Rosemary - Dendrolivano
Allspice - Bachari
Cayenne - Kokkino Piperi
Cinnamon - Kanella
Nutmeg - Moschokarydo
Paprika - Paprika

The Corfu Channel Incident

In the afternoon of 22nd October 1946, the British Cruiser Mauritius, leading the destroyer Saumarez, followed by the cruiser Leander and another destroyer Volage were in the channel between Corfu and the Greek mainland. The exercise was designed to show that ships could proceed safely in what were recognised international waters. During the passage down the channel a violent explosion occurred as the Saumarez hit a mine. Volage took Saumarez in tow but herself hit a mine which blew her bows off. Eventually all four ships returned to harbour, but there had been casualties - 44 men killed and 40 injured. The channel was immediately swept and the mines were found to be brand new and had not been long in the water. Albania was taken to the International Court by Britain for illegally mining the channel and was ordered to pay Britain £843,947 damages which included £50,000 for the lives lost and injuries caused. However, no apology was ever received from Albania for the deaths or injuries. Albania would not pay the damages at the time so Britain laid claim to Albanian gold recovered from the Nazis, but although this was returned after the death of President Hoxha, the fine remained unpaid.

Geography

The coastline of Corfu is about 217 km in length.
The area of Corfu is estimated at 227 sq miles (580 sq km)
Agios Ilias is Corfu's northernmost village
Arilas is Corfu's westernmost settlement
Pantatika is Corfu's easternmost village
Spartera is Corfu's southernmost village

Mobile Phones

Greece has the highest per capita level of mobile phone users in Europe.
The providers and number of customers are:
Cosmote 4.38 million
Vodafone 4.17 million
TIM 2.26 million
Q-Telecom 0.85 million

Useful Telephone Numbers

Emergency - 112
Police - 112
Ambulance - 116
Fire - 199
Tourist Police - 111

Some Greek Cheeses

Feta:traditionally made from goat or sheep's milk and stored in barrels of brine.
Kasseri:a mild, sharp tasting cheese with a creamy texture. Pale yellow in colour.
Mizithra:unsalted and made from a combination of whey, full fat milk and cream.
Kefalotiri:very hard in texture and used for grating over spaghetti.
Kefalograviera:a cross between Kefalotiri and Graviera.
Graviera:mild in taste, this cheese resembles Gruyere in texture.

Tourism

94.3% of visitors to Greece are from Europe
68.9% are from the EC
73.6% arrive by plane
5.6% arrive by sea
20.1% arrive by road
0.6% arrive by train

Names of fish

Cod - Bakaliaros
Sole - Glossa
Red Mullet - Barbouni
Swordfish - Xifias
Mackerel - Skoubri
Sea Scorpion - Skorpios
Tuna - Tonos
Sea Bream - Fagri
Grey Mullet - Kefalos
Gilthead - Tsipoures
Red Snapper - Sinagrida
Sardines - Sardeles
Herring - Renga
Sea Bream - Tsipoura
Sea Bass - Lavraki

Greek National Anthem

The National Anthem of Greece consists of the first two verses of the poem "Hymn to Freedom" which was written in May 1823 in Zakynthos by the poet Dionysios Solomos. In 1828, Nicholas Mantzaros, a Corfu musician and friend of Solomos, set the poem to music. In 1864, after the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece, "Hymn to Freedom" was established as the national anthem. This English translation was written by Rudyard Kipling in 1918.

We knew thee of old,
Oh, divinely restored,
By the lights of thine eyes,
And the light of thy sword,

From the graves of our slain,
Shall thy valour prevail.
As we greet thee again-
Hail, Liberty! Hail!

Lord High Commissioners of Corfu

1815 - 1823 Sir Thomas Maitland
1823 - 1832 Sir Frederick Adam
1832 - 1832 Alexander Woodford
1832 - 1835 George Nugent Grenville
1835 - 1840 Howard Douglas
1840 - 1843 James Alexander Stewart Mackenzie
1843 - 1849 John Colborn,
1849 - 1855 Sir Henry George Ward
1855 - 1859 Sir John Young
1859 - 1859 William Ewart Gladstone
1859 - 1863 Sir Henry Knight Storks

Breeds of Warbler spotted in Corfu

Aquatic
Barrred
Celtis
Fan-tailed
Melodious
Moustached
Olivaceaus
Olive-Tree
Orphean
Reed
Sardinian
Savi's
Subalpine
Willow
Wood

Corfu Airport (LGKR)

Named after Ioannis Kapodistrias, Corfu born diplomat and first Greek president (1827)
IATA Code - CFU
Position - 39°36'32"N, 019°54'51"E
Elevation - 13m (42ft)
Runway - Heading 17/35. Length 2,375m (7,791ft)

Corfu's Municipalities

Achilion (Vrioni)
Ag. Georgiou (Agros)
Esperion (Velonades)
Faiakon (Ipsos)
Kassiopeon (Kassiopi)
Kerkireon (Corfu Town)
Korisson (Argirades)
Lefkimeon (Lefkimmi)
Meletieon (Moraitika)
Paleokastriton (Paleokastritsa)
Parelion (Kokkini)
Paxon (Gaios)
Thinalion (Acharavi)

The Ionian Islands

Ithaki (Ithaca)
Kefallonia (Cephalonia)
Kerkyra (Corfu)
Kythira (Cerigo)
Lefkada (Lefkas)
Paxi (Paxos)
Zakynthos (Zante)

Greek Internet Usage

Population (2005 Estimate) - 11,212,468
Internet Users (Latest Data) - 3,800,000
User Growth 2000-2005 -280.0%
Penetration (% Population) -33.9%
Percentage of Total EU Users - 1.8%
Figures compiled by internetworldstats.com

Main Greek Political Parties

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos)
Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
New Democracy (ND)
Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)
Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS)

Some Greek Proverbs

Act quickly, think slowly.
All things good to know are difficult to learn.
An open enemy is better than a false friend.
Eat and drink with your relatives; do business with strangers.
If advice will not improve him, neither will the rod.
Learn to obey before you command.
No need to teach an eagle to fly.
Painless poverty is better than embittered wealth.
Success has many friends.
The heart that loves is always young.
Think not on what you lack as much as on what you have.
Young wood makes a hot fire.

Words Borrowed from Greek

Many English words, prefixes and suffixes are "borrowed" from Greek. They can be grouped into several classes: educational and sporting (gymnasium, mathematics), mythology (amazon, titanic), social and political (democracy, autocrat), terms from Christianity (eucharist, catholic), theatrical (drama, chorus), animals (buffalo, crocodile), place names (Egypt, Ethiopia). However, the vast majority of Greek borrowings are scientific terms such as astronomy, geography, biology. For a list of some others click here.

Name Days

In Greece it's customary to celebrate your name day instead of, or besides, your birthday. Every day of the year is dedicated to the memory of a saint or martyr. If someone is named after a saint they celebrate on that day. (Those who are not named after a saint celebrate on All Saints' Day, 8 weeks after Easter.) Below are some examples. For a list of Greek name days click here.

Alexandra/Alexandros August 30
Andreas November 30
Anna December 9
Antonis January 17
Christina July 24
Christos December 25
Dimitra/Dimitris October 26
Giorgos April 23
Helena May 21
Ioannis M January 7
Katerina November 25
Konstantina/Konstantinos May 21
Maria August 15
Michalis November 8
Nikos December 6
Panagiotis August 15
Sofia September 17
Spiros December 12
Stavros September 14
Stefanos December 27

Some Greek Gods

Aphrodite -Goddess of love
Apollo - God of light, medicine and poetry
Ares - God of war
Artemis - Goddess of hunting and childbirth
Athena - Goddess of crafts, war, and wisdom
Cronus - ruler of the Titans and father of Zeus
Demeter - Goddess of growing things
Dionysus - God of wine, fertility, and wild behavior
Eros - God of love
Gaea - Symbol of the earth and mother and wife of Uranus
Hephaestus - Blacksmith for the gods and god of fire and metalworking
Hera - Protector of marriage and women. Sister and wife of Zeus
Hermes - Messenger for the gods
Pluto - God of the underworld
Poseidon - God of the sea
Zeus - Ruler of the gods

Some Famous Visitors to Corfu

Goethe - writer
Napoleon - French Emperor
Oscar Wilde - poet/writer
Gerald Durrell - writer
Lawrence Durrell - writer
Alfred Sisley - artist
Edward Lear - poet/artist
Wilhelm II - German Emperor
Elisabeth ("Sissy") - Austrian Empress
George Best - footballer
Lord Sainsbury - business magnate
Lord Rothschild - business magnate
Prince Charles - heir to British throne
Diana - Princess of Wales
Madonna - singer
Nicholas Cage - actor

Top 10 Airline Complaints

Delay
Mishandled Baggage
Cancellations
Reservations
Overbooking
Tickets
Seating
Ground Services
Inflight Service
Safety

Kings of Greece

Otto (1832-1862). A Bavarian prince who was offered the throne.
George I (1863-1913). A Danish prince who was offered the throne.
Constantine I (first time 1913-1917).
Alexander (1917-1920).
Constantine I (second time 1920-1922).
George II (first time 1922-1924).
First Greek Republic 1923-1935.
George II (second time 1935-1947).
Paul (1947-1964).
Constantine II (1964-1973). Constantine went into exile in 1967. Regents assumed his role. The monarchy was abolished by referendum in 1973.
Second Greek Republic (1973-present). The 1973 republic was declared by the Regime of the Colonels. In 1974, democracy was restored. A new referendum on the monarchy took place. The republican side won by 2 to 1.

Foreign Influence in Corfu

Brass Bands. First established in the middle of the 19th century in imitation of the British garrison military band.
Cricket. Also introduced by the British in the 19th century.
Ginger Beer. Another legacy of British rule. The factory in Kelafationes is the only place left in the world that still commercially produces ginger beer as it used to be.
Olive trees. The Venetians offered the Corfiots fianacial incentives to plant some 4 million olive trees that today give the island its characteristic appearance.
Buildings. Built or influenced by the Venetians, French and British.
Mashed potato. The traditional accompaniment to Sofrito. Potatoes were an introduction of the early 19th century.
Food. Pastisada from Italy. Bourdetto from the Adriatic. Moussaka from the East.
Cantadas. Lovely songs which are part of the island's musical tradition. Directly derived from the serenades of Italy.

Greek Beer Trivia

Research indicates that just three lagers - Heineken, Amstel and Mythos - make up 90% of the beer sold on the Greek market.
Over 75% of beer is consumed between April and September.
The bulk of beer is consumed in bottles as opposed to cans or on draught.
The first domestic beer, Fix, was brewed in 1864. The factory closed in the 1980s, but the brand name re-emerged in 1997 after Olympic Breweries purchased the rights.
I'm thirsty - thipsao.
I'd like a beer -tha eethela meea beera
Cheers - steen eegheeia