Mythology

The History of Corfu, like that of many other Greek islands, is shrouded in tales, myths, legends and stories, all passed through the Ages.
The name "Ionian", it is said, is straght from mythology, coming from Io, one of the many victims of a Zeus love-affair. Hera, Zeus's wife, heard of the love-match with the pretty, young maiden but decided to keep quiet, waiting for the right moment to unleash her fury on her husband. Zeus, however, seeing his wife's suspicion, decided to turn Io into a white cow which a quick-thinking Hera then demanded as a present so she could keep a carefull eye on it!
With a little help from Hermes, Io escaped from Hera, only to be followed by a ghastly gad fly which pursued her all over the world. One of the first places the luckless Io visited was the eastern part of the Adriatic sea which has since been known as Ionian in honour of the tormented girl!
Corfu has its own tales and claims a prominent place in Greek mythology. In ancient times it was called Corcyra, after the nymph-like daughter of the Asopos river and mistress of sea god Poseidon. Corcyra and Poseidon produced a son, Phaex, who was born and grew up on the island and later ruled over Phaecians.
In the 7th and 8th books of the Odyssey, Homer tells of the adventures of Odysseus on the island and his relationship with the princess Navsika, the daughter of the royal couple, Alkinou and Arites. After his dramatic escape from Calypso, an exhausted Odysseus was washed up on to a Corfu beach. He was, of course, being guided by his protectoress, the goddes Athena who, according to the tales, used her magic to lead the local proncess to Odysseus' side.
Under Athena's spell, Navsika, her maids and companions, left the palace to wash clothes and to swim in a nearby stream. At the end of their chores the girls bathed, and, while their clothes were drying, played ball and Navsika sang. Odysseus, was awakened by her singing. Haggard, unkempt and wild-looking, he tries to cover his naked body and went closer to the princess. He entourage fled but she remained and agreed to help what she considered a worthy vagrant, giving Odysseus food and clothing and agreeing to guide him to the town.
Corfu is also mentioned in the epic of the Argonauts, by the famous Apollonius of Rhodes, whose story tells of the plight of Jason and Media who were hounded by the Colchians with orders to return her to her father. The couple were received as guests by Alkinou and Areti at the Phaecian kingdom. They married there and, to avoid further family squabbles, both they and their pursuants, the Colchians, stayed on Corfu.
Corfu has been known by many names. Homer referred to it as Phaiakia, after the Phaecian kingdom; it has also been called Drepani after its sickle-like shape, Kassiopi after the town, Kereina, Arpi and Scheria. More recently, it was known as Korfoi because of the two peaks in its main town and this has gradually changed to Corfu, a name by which it is recognised worldwide and even used by many of the Greeks.

History

Corfu's history is action packed...to say the least! it has the makings, of real-life epic featuring the likes of Alexander the Great, Dimitrios the Beseiger, Roman emperors Brutus and Claudius, France's Napoleon, and the pirate Barbarossa...to name but a few of the tyrants and leaders who have battled over the island's position. Corfu was the first Roman base on Greek soil, after being asked for help, in 229BC, following a particularly strong pirate attack. Under the Romans, Corfu lost the power and previleges it had accumulated, struggling through years of defeat and depravity. In 40AD the new Christianity arrived on Corfu through two Ionian bishops, Iasonas and Sosipatros of Tarsus. Disciples of St. Paul, it is thought that they were the first to preach the gospel on Corfu and later built the first Christian church in the area, on the Pythia islet, and dedicated to Agios Stefanos.

 Corfu Churches

Corfu is known for its churches because there are so many of them, but also because of their distinctive facades, many modelled on Italian designs and domed ceilings usually decorated by local artists.

Byzantine, Venetian churches with outstanding architecture interest decorated by famous local artists like Doxaras, Damaskinos, Tzane, Paramythiotis.