ASIANOVERLAND.NET WINTER EUROPEAN DAY 18/191:  KORKYRA TO CORFU, GREECE

Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, and, together with other Ionian islands, forms the northwestern border of Greece.

Corfu is an integral part of the history of Greece from the beginnings of Greek mythology. Ancient Korkyra (Corfu) took part in the Battle of Sybota, a catalyst for the Peloponnesian War, and, according to Thucydides, the largest naval battle between Greek city states until that time. Thucydides also reported that Korkyra was, with Athens and Corinth, one of the three great naval powers of fifth century BC Greece.

Ruins of ancient Greek temples and other archaeological sites of the ancient city of Korkyra are found in Palaiopolis, on the central eastern coast of Corfu. Medieval castles on strategic locations across the Corfu island were built in the Middle Ages to protect Corfu against invasions by pirates and the Ottomans. Two of the castles enclose Corfu's capital, Kerkyra, the only city in Greece to be surrounded by two castles, and officially declared a Kastropolis ("castle city") by the Greek government.

 From medieval times into the 17th century, Corfu island, having successfully repulsed the Ottomans during several sieges, was one of the most fortified places in Europe, and recognised as a bulwark of the Western European States against the Ottoman Empire. The fortifications of the island were used by the Venetians to defend against Ottoman expansion into the Adriatic.

Corfu eventually fell under British rule following the Napoleonic Wars, and was ceded to Greece by Britain along with other Ionian Islands. Unification with modern Greece was concluded in 1864 under the Treaty of London.

Corfu is the origin of the Ionian Academy, the first university of the modern Greek state, the first Greek theatre and first opera house of modern Greece. The first governor of independent Greece after the revolution of 1821, founder of the modern Greek state, and distinguished European diplomat Ioannis Kapodistrias was born in Corfu.

Our Trip Book reads:

“DAY 18, 29.12.80 CORFU (DAY 1)

A VERY FULL DAY TO REPORT, ESPECIALLY FOR ROWENA AND VICKI B-52 WHO BOTH TOOK TO THE OUZO, AND THEN IT TOOK TO THEM. OOZO WON CONVINCINGLY ON BOTH COUNTS.

SPORTS AFTERNOON

In the inaugural European Soccer Championship final played at Corfu Stadium today, INTER convincingly trounced its opposition, WALLY GOLLY/GOLLY WALLY ….

Full credit must go to the INTER side for their crushing victory, especially as they were outnumbered for much of the match. INTER showed fine spirit in blooding a couple of locals, but they will need further tuition, new trousers, and a better sense of direction if they are to make the grade.

There were many serious contenders for the MAN-OF-THE MATCH AWARD :- CHRIS B’s five goals, FLEX and CHRIS A’s fine defensive work, and PETER’s goalkeeping – but the award goes to ROBYN for her gutsy and courageous game, capped off by two brilliant goals just after the  half-time break.

Final score: INTER 13 d WALLY/GOLLY 3.

A capacity crowd watched the game ….”

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