2 - UNESCO: World Heritage

DESCRIPTION
Its composite character, the lack of all manner of national or religious conflict, the non-existent crime levels, all
make the town an attractive point of reference for the wider area since neighbouring Albania was always aided
in times of trouble by the Corfiot population, who greeted their neighbours with a friendly and humane attitude.
It is characteristic that in times of major exoduses from that country not even the slightest violent episode was
noted in contrast to what has occurred in neighbouring countries. This phenomenon finds its root in the distant
past since from prehistory the island has been host to populations from Greece, Illyria, Italy and elsewhere.
Flint tools such as blades and spearheads, flakes and arrows and variously decorated vessels (engraved or
painted) from the Neolithic period are evidence of the relations between its residents and Thessaly during the
same period (6000 – 3000 BC) and with Italy too. The vessels were made by people for storing food or for
cooking and are similar to those from Macedonia to the east and Dalmatia to the north or those found in
Southern Italy, Sicily or Malta to the west. The main inhabited area of the island of Corfu was always its town
and it was used as a base in the relations between its inhabitants, whether permanent or passing, and Italy and
Sicily. Archaeological finds from the Roman city indicate the central position it had in their culture as is also the
case with the Paleo-Christian churches.
The location of the city in the Homeric epic as an exemplary kingdom ruled by a hospital lord indicates its role
as a staging post for populations from other Ionian islands, the mainland, Sicily and Italy. In a sea where
navigation is difficult, capable of inspiring one of the most enduring wandering myths worldwide, Corfu is the
only port of haven that Odysseus comes across. Its residents were Illyrians and Libyrnians according to Strano,
Kerkyrians according to Alcmanas. What is certain for the Homeric world is that the island was known for
composite coexistence. The town was always a place of refuge for Byzantines when Constantinople fell to the
Turks (1453), for Greeks seeking a new life in the West (1669), for Albanians and Slavs pressurized by the
Ottoman expansion into Albania and Dalmatia in the 15 th and 16 th centuries and many members of the island’s
aristocracy came from these nations. It was too a safe haven for the persecuted people of Souli (1800-1815)
and the Italian revolutionaries of the 19 th century.
For several days too the blood sister of the French king Louis XVI found refuge in its port from the persecutions
of the Jacobins. All those who passed through left their imprint, leaving behind memories of themselves,
memories that are accorded their due respect since no monument has ever been willingly destroyed and the
residents of the island have never wiped out the worship or forms of expression of any minority.
Thanks to its history and perhaps a generous helping of luck, all the above were impressed into its buildings, its
museums, its libraries and archives to preserve the memory that peaceful coexistence is possible in an area so
tried and tested in terms of war and conflicts throughout world history.
On Corfu there are no monuments to persecution only to sanctuary.
The Old Town of Corfu Nomination for inclusion on the World Heritage List 44
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