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Town Hall<br />
A typical example of the Venetian architecture in Corfu, the<br />
Town Hall located at the Town Hall square, the social center<br />
during the Venetian era.<br />
The building, the formerly famous Arcade of the Nobles<br />
was built in stages between 1661 and 1693, to be used as<br />
a club of the Venetian fleet officers and a lounge arcade<br />
(Loggia) of the city’s nobility.<br />
In 1717, the building was converted into a theater and was<br />
named “San Giacomo Theatre” after the name of the<br />
Catholic Church at the same square. The church of St. James<br />
was built in 1632 and operated as the Catholic metropolis.<br />
The “San Giacomo Theatre” was one of the first European<br />
theaters where opera performances were staged, it was<br />
closely linked with the principles of the Ionian and Greek<br />
theater and created the theatrical reputation of Corfu.<br />
Since 1733 several melodrama performances were staged.<br />
The Corfiots loved the theater so much that, according to<br />
tradition, they did not only watch sole performances but also<br />
the rehearsals of the theatrical companies. When in 1903 a<br />
new theater was built in Corfu, the building was converted<br />
into the Town Hall, by adding a floor.<br />
The building, of Renaissance style, is made of carved stone<br />
Sinion by an unknown architect. Its exterior was decorated<br />
with arches and baroque sculptures.<br />
At its east side is the bust of Francesco Morosini with four<br />
children (who symbolize his virtues).<br />
The curtain of the theater which was an excellent artwork<br />
was crafted by Giovanni Bouzato, director of the Academy<br />
of Fine Arts of Venice or, according to others, by Napoleon<br />
Gkenovezi.<br />
It was adorned by representations from the Odyssey and<br />
Ulysses on the island of the Phaeakes, namely Corfu.<br />
The curtain was saved from the destruction of the theater in<br />
1943 and today has been transferred at the new Municipal<br />
Theatre of Corfu, like Portantina, a gilded carriage with velvet<br />
seat, which was the transportation mean of the prima donna<br />
of each performance from the hotel to the theater.<br />
The once “Arcade of the Nobles” which served as a theater, and<br />
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