Ioanina-gate,Greece

Ioanina-gate,Greece, originally uploaded by ageloskardamilas.

Corfu, the New Fortress

Corfu, the New Fortress, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

The New Fortress, also known as the Fortress of San Marco, was built by the Venetians near the Old Harbour of Corfu town between the years 1576 and 1645, shortly after the second great Turkish siege. Responsible for the works was the Italian military engineer Ferraute Vitteli.
The fortress was a strong point in the town's defense. Its structure is a complicated network of chambers and galleries. The French and later the British completed the fortifications and the buildings of the fortress.

Corfu - Entrance to the Old Fortress

Entrance to the Old Fortress, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

The Old Fortress stands over the Esplanade (Spianada Square) and is linked to the town by a fixed iron bridge 60 meters in length. This bridge used to be wooden and was drawn up to isolate the fortress for greater safety.

The first fortifications of the Old Fortress were started about the 6th century AD after the destruction of the ancient city of Corcyra by the Goths, who had forced the population to abandon the ancient city and to settle on the rocky promontory with its two peaks. The Byzantines fortified one of the two peaks, the one that in Venetian times was named 'Castel Vecchio' or 'Castel a Mare'. Later the Venetians fortified the other, peak called 'Castel Nuovo' or 'Castel a Terra'. Between the 6th and 13th centuries the town of Corfu lay within the walls of the fortress. In the 15th century the Venetians replaced the old fortifications. They built bastions, winding galleries and tunnels. They also erected buildings to house the military and political authorities. These bastions are considered masterpieces of military engineering.

On the open space at the foot of the peak named 'Castel a Terra' stands the church of St. George, built in 1840 by the British in Doric style. The church turned over to the Orthodox cult at the end of the British Protectorate.

Corfu - Inside the Old Fortress

Inside the Old Fortress, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

Historical archive and clock tower

Corfu - Inside the Old Fortress

Inside the Old Fortress, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

Historical archive (19th century)

Corfu - Inside the Old Fortress

Inside the Old Fortress, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

Clock tower (19th century, built during the British occupation)

Skyline of Corfu

Skyline of Corfu, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

View from the Old Fortress

Approaching Corfu's new port

Approaching Corfu's new port, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

In the background the new fortress, built in 1570 by the Venetians.