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Today, the town houses a population of approximately 30.000 inhabitants.
It is an organised town with elegant buildings, mansions, palaces and monuments lined in narrow paved streets with stone steps, beautiful and large French-designed squares full of trees and flowers, impressive Venetian castles, some Byzantine and post Byzantine churches…
The town has an unique beauty, charm, character and atmosphere that can only be found in towns such as Naples, in Italy. It is the kind of town that takes you back in other times…
Here are some interesting sights to visit:
:: The
central square Spiniada or Esplanade is the most significant monument of the town. It is said that it is the largest square in the Balkans.
The Esplanade was turned into a public square by the French. They designed the square following the French style and planted it with trees and flowers.
The area, before the 19th century, was empty and was used for strategic and defensive purposes. |
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It was used as the official residence of the Commissioner. The Palace has also been used for a while as the residence of the Greek Royal family and is today hosting the European Leaders Summit Conference.
:: The Liston. The Liston is a building situated in the western side of the Esplanade.
The Liston terrace houses some of the finest cafés and restaurants of the island. It is a terrace with beautiful arches, especially by night when the lights create beautiful shadows.
Liston was built during the imperial French occupation, in 1807 and has many similarities with the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, in the 1er Arrondissement.
The name Liston must probably comes from a Venetian world that used to describe the main street of a town.
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:: The neighbourhood of Mandouki:
It is an historic neighbourhood, since its inhabitants organised a resistance in 1799 against the French Conquerors.
Today, the area is a pretty suburb of the Town with a charming central street lined by many old houses, shops, kafenion and tavernas.
:: The Kanoni Peninsula: The Kanoni Peninsula is the area where the first city of Corfu was built. The area has many archaeological sites.
Kanoni took it name from the circular terrace which is located on the edge of the Peninsula, and the canon (kanoni in Greek) that was there once.
The terrace offers a beautiful view over the bay and the famous islet of Pontikonisi. Today, the area has many luxurious hotels.
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