Discount Hotels Corfu
Historical interest: Corfu
    
Christianity came to Corfu around 40 BC, when two disciples of Saint Paul, Jasonas
and Sossipatros, built the first Christian church, which was dedicated to Saint
Stefanos.
The Roman Empire was divided into the Western and Eastern Empires. The Eastern
Roman Empire later became the Byzantine Empire and included the island of Corfu.
The Byzantine period lasted until 1267 AD. During this period, the island was
constantly attacked by pirates, barbarians, Goths and Saracens, and peace could
not be established.
The island also fell, for a short period, under the rule of the Normans and
then the Venetians. Half a century of peace followed the Venetian rule; then
in 1267 Charles of Angou, the French King of Sicily, conquered the island and
attempted to replace the Orthodox religion with Catholicism.
The attempt failed and Corfu again fell under Venetian rule until 1797 when
Napoleon came to the island as a liberator and burned the Libro d'Oro (Book
of Nobles). During this time, the rest of Greece remained under Turkish rule.
Two years later, the Turks, Russians and English defeated the French; in 1800,
the Ionian state was established in Constantinople. However, Corfu was once
again ceded to France in 1807 until the English finally occupied the island
in 1815 after the Treaty of Paris.
During this prosperous time, the Greek language became official, new roads
were built, the water supply of the town was organised and the education system
improved with the founding of the first Greek university in 1824.
Eventually Greece gained its independence from Turkey, and the Ionian Islands
were finally unified to the newly built Greek state on May 21, 1864. Corfu participated
with the rest of Greece in the two world wars, where it sustained much damage
under heavy bombing. Much of the town was destroyed, including the Ionian Academy,
the Library and the Municipal Museum.
Today, Corfu is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. With its wonderful
Mediterranean climate, many fine beaches and stunning architecture, it has become
a tourist haven.
http://www.corfunet.com/index.php
Selection of hotels in this region:
Beis Beach Hotel and Apartments | | Hellinis Hotel | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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