City history
Corfu, historically known as Korkyra, is a jewel of the Ionian Sea. Its long history of various occupations has shaped a unique cultural landscape and a complex administrative heritage.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Likely derived from the Greek word for cork or associated with mythology"
Korkyra was the primary designation for the island during antiquity, serving as a significant power within the Greek world and a vital hub for Mediterranean maritime trade routes.
Korkyra
The earliest known Greek name for the island.
Corfù
The name used during the long period of Venetian maritime rule.
Kerkyra
The official modern Greek name for the island and city.
Chapter two
Greece adopted Eastern European Time to provide consistent timekeeping for maritime and commercial activities throughout the Ionian islands.
Corfu follows European Union daylight saving rules, switching between EET and EEST to align with regional energy and social protocols.
Chapter three
The establishment of Korkyra as a significant Greek presence in the Ionian Sea, marking the beginning of its historical influence.
The start of centuries of Venetian administration, which profoundly influenced the architectural and urban development of Corfu.
The era of British administration which introduced Western European administrative structures and influenced local infrastructure.
The pivotal moment when the Ionian Islands were officially ceded to the Kingdom of Greece, integrating the island into the state.