The Museums of Corfu
Corfu, the island known for its rich history and cultural heritage, boasts a wealth of museums that cover a wide range of topics, from ancient Greece to modern times. The museums of Corfu are essentially “windows” for visitors who want to explore the island and its development through the exhibits displayed in them. Each museum highlights a different aspect of the local history, art, and culture, showcasing Corfu’s continuous connection with great cultural traditions and significant historical events.
The Museum of Asian Art in Corfu is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive museums on the island. It is housed in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, which was built to host the British Commissioner during the period of British rule. The museum’s collection includes over 10,000 works of art covering the art of China, Japan, India, Tibet, and other areas of Asia. From ceramics and painting to impressive silver objects and unique sculptures, the museum exudes the history and traditions of Asia through the works on display. The Museum of Asian Art is considered the only one in Greece dedicated entirely to Asian art and is the ideal place to understand the influence Eastern civilizations had on the West. The Corfu collection highlights the relationships and cultural interactions between Greece and the Eastern cultures, particularly during the period when Corfu was under Venetian rule.
The Archaeological Museum of Corfu, located in the city of Corfu, is one of the most important museums for the island’s history. It houses one of the most comprehensive collections of archaeological finds from the twelve-month region of Corfu and the surrounding area. Among the museum’s most important exhibits are sculptures, statues, and inscriptions, dating from the Archaic period to the Roman era. One of the most impressive exhibits in the museum is the famous Gorgon pediment, discovered in the Garitsa area. The museum’s exceptional archaeological collection offers a thorough look at ancient Corfu, which was an important city-state and played a significant role in the development of Greek art and culture in antiquity. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu is undoubtedly the best place to understand the history of Corfu and its ancient roots.
The Byzantine Art Museum of Corfu is an ideal destination for anyone interested in the art and religious history of the Byzantine period. Housed in the historic former church of Panagia Antivouniotissa, it hosts exhibits that cover the period from the 5th to the 15th century. Among the most important exhibits are Byzantine icons, liturgical vessels, frescoes, and relics that reflect the religious life and art of Byzantine civilization. The museum offers an interesting insight into the influence of Byzantine culture on Corfu, with the icons and relics highlighting Corfu’s connection to Byzantium and the island’s enduring religious faith. Visitors can appreciate the importance of the island in the development and spread of Byzantine art.
Governor's Museum
The Kapodistrias Museum, located in Evropouloi, Corfu, is dedicated to the life and work of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of independent Greece. The museum is housed in the former residence of the Kapodistrias family in the Koukouritsa area and is an important place to discover the history of the first governor of the country. The museum’s collection includes personal items of Kapodistrias, documents, letters, portraits, and various exhibits that shed light on his life and work. The museum’s exhibition captures the difficult role of Kapodistrias as governor, his political career, and the contradictions that accompanied the effort to rebuild the country. This museum is a tribute to the man who left an indelible mark on Greek history and whom Corfu had the honor of giving birth to.
Casa Parlante, one of the most innovative and interesting museums in Corfu, is located in the center of Corfu Town and is an authentic 19th-century Corfiot mansion. Casa Parlante, meaning “House that Speaks,” offers visitors a unique experience, as the inhabitants of the house “live” and “speak” through modern technology. The museum revives the daily life of a wealthy Corfiot family in the 19th century, with an emphasis on the Venetian rule and the early years of the Venetian era. The house belonged to a noble family, and its atmosphere highlights the elegance and luxury of the social class of those times.
Visitors can explore the rooms of the house, such as the living room, dining room, and bedrooms, where the figures of family members are revived through sound and light effects. These representations offer a unique opportunity to learn how the Corfiot nobility lived during this period, what their customs, habits, and social structures were like. Corfu is an island with deep historical and cultural roots, and its museums are invaluable treasures for understanding its rich cultural heritage. From ancient art and Byzantine religious traditions to literature and Corfiot folk art, the museums of Corfu offer unique opportunities to travel through the centuries and discover the history of one of the most important islands of the Ionian.
