Culture in Corfu

Corfu has an impressive culture, as well as theatrical, musical and operatic traditions. For instance, the famous expression “applaudito in Corfu” was a high rated measure for opera performed on the island. On the same note, the Nobile Teatro Di San Giacomo Di Corfu was the first opera house and theatre in modern Greece.

Libraries and Museums

The Archaeological Museum was opened in 1967 and it provided access to the impressive Gorgon pediment of the Artemis temple. The temple was discovered in Palaiopolis. According to The New York Times, this is the finest example of archaic temple structure in the world.

On the other hand, the Museum of Asian Art of Corfu brings in 15 rooms and unique collections with over 12,000 artefacts, not to mention the stunning building it is housed in. Those into numismatics will certainly appreciate the Banknote Museum, which features Greek banknotes from the independence to modern times.

Other museums worth some attention include the Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa, the Kapodistrias Museum and the Music Museum of The Philharmonic Society of Corfu.

When it comes to libraries, the Public Library of Corfu, the Reading Society of Corfu and the Serbian Museum of Corfu draw most of the attention among tourists.

Patron saint spyridon

The bell tower of the Saint Spyridon Church cannot be missed – you can always see it around tall buildings in the old town. Saint Spyridon the Thaumaturgist protects the island and the city. Many miracles are attributed to this saint, including the expelling of the plague from Corfu.

Some legends also claim that Saint Spyridon protected the island during the second great siege of Corfu from 1716 by showing up in front of Ottoman forces with a flaming torch and a cross. Venice has decided to celebrate Saint Spyridon on the 11th of August due to his contribution – the tradition goes on to this day.

Musical history

Corfu took advantage of a unique musical heritage. During the British occupation, the island developed its own musical heritage. Until the 18th century, most musical celebrations took place in squares. In 1720, Corfu got the first theatre in more than 250 years.

The island also had the first school of classical music in Greece – the Ionian School of Music.

Local philharmonic societies offer free music instruction in Corfu and keep drawing attention among young recruits. The island has 19 such bands, yet some of them stand out in the crowd – the Philharmonic Society of Corfu, the Mantzaros Philharmonic Society and the Capodistria Philharmonic Union.

Operatic traditions and theatres

The Nobile Teatro Di San Giacomo Di Corfu was the first theatre in modern Greece. Locals developed a passion for opera during the Venetian rule. The Municipal Theatre took the operatic tradition over until it was destroyed during a German air raid in 1943.