corfu island

location

Corfu is for nearly two centuries the capital of the Ionian islands, most northwest and second largest of them all.

UNESCO's World Heritage listed Corfu Town is the island’s capital city. Dominated by two castles that enclose the whole town, it is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way. 

Corfu is a very popular tourist destination.  Up until the early 20th century, it was mainly visited by the European royals including Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and Empress Elisabeth of Austria. It is still popular with the global elite and island's homeowners include members of the Rothschild family and Russian oligarchs. 

corfu in myth

In the mythical sea adventure of Homer's Odyssey, Kerkyra is the island of the Phaeacians (Phaiakes) wherein Odysseus (Ulysses) meets Nausica, the daughter of King Alkinoos. The bay of Palaiokastritsa is considered to be the place where Odysseus disembarked.

corfu in literature

British naturalist Gerald Durrell wrote three well-loved books about his 1935–1940 childhood on Corfu: My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts and Relatives; and The Garden of the Gods.

His brother, literary author Lawrence Durrell, also wrote a volume about Corfu: Prospero's Cell: A Guide to the Landscape and Manners of the Island of Corcyra (Corfu).

corfu in film

  • A number of cinema productions have been filmed in Corfu, including the 1981 James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only. Corfu was one of the main locations featured in the 1970 film The Executioner starring George Peppard and Joan Collins
  • Corfu is also the setting of a 1987 BBC TV series and a 2005 BBC movie version, of My Family and Other Animals.
  • A greek movie "Η κομισσα της Κερκυρας" (The countess of Corfu), featuring Rena Vlahopolou, is set in Corfu in 1972.

corfu in popular culture

Corfu is one of the locations in the legend of Simon and Milo, where Simon falls in love temporarily. It is the setting of the 1998 song Mediterranean Lady by Prozzak.

The island is alluded to several times in David Foster Wallace's The Broom of the System. Drake mentions Corfu in a song.