Sojourn | Sovereign Magazine Summer 2022

Morning
Dimarchiou Square
Old Fortress
Boschetto Gardens
We recommend you start early in the neighbourhood of Porta
Remounda, and sit out in the sunshine of a local bakery as you
enjoy a typical Greek breakfast. Starenio Bakery and Panetteria
are both institutions in their own right, as you tuck into delicious,
homemade spanakopita (spinach pie) or eliopsomo (olive bread)
with your morning coffee.
From here, wander a few minutes to the 17th century Venetian
architecture of Platia Dimarchiou, which over the centuries has
been used as a social club, opera house, and town hall. Right next
to it, you can nip into the 19th century Catholic cathedral of Saint
James and Saint Christopher, which feels like you’re stepping
back in time.
We then suggest you stroll the 10 minute walk across the moat
to Palaio Frourio, the 14th century Old Fortress, which becomes
busier as the day goes on. Started by the Byzantines but completed
by the Venetians, this is one of several forts on the island. For
excellent views, climb to the top of the Tower of the Sea where
you can see across the terracotta roofs of the town, and over the
glittering Ionian Sea towards mainland Greece and Albania.
South of the fortress sits one of the largest churches in Corfu,
the Church of Saint George, which despite being built by the
British in the 19th century resembles an ancient Greek temple.
You can also stroll around the tranquil Boschetto Gardens, and
visit the neoclassical Palace of St Michael and St George, which
houses a leading Museum of Asian Art.
You can then wander into the old Jewish quarter and visit Corfu’s
only surviving Jewish synagogue, before enjoying a typical Corfiot
lunch. We highly recommend Marina’s Taverna where you can
tuck into local specialities such as pastitsada (chicken and tomato
penne), bourdeto (fish in a spicy red pepper sauce), as well as
lighter dishes such as taramasalata and salads.
Bourdetto
The Church of St George
Liston
Afternoon
After lunch, perhaps you’ll want to visit the Archaeological
Museum before it closes, a 10 minute stroll away, where you can
witness a fabulous bas relief of Medusa.
Or maybe you prefer to head straight for some light retail therapy
in the most cosmopolitan part of the Old Town?
Liston is a 19th century promenade with elegant colonnades and
arches that were inspired by the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Around here
you’ll find many boutiques, jewellery, and craft shops selling local
products, including ouzo! Cool off from the beating sun with
a pit stop in one of the cafés for an espresso or a tsitsibira
(ginger beer), a British influence. Or, you might prefer
to wander to another institution, Papagiorgis Patiserie-
Gelateria, for delicious pistachio gelato?
Refreshed, you can then venture to the neighbourhood
of Kofineta, which is teeming with Venetian and
Neoclassical architecture. In the pink facade of the
Ionian Bank, learn about the drachma, one of the
world’s oldest currencies, in a unique Banknote Museum.
Moments away is the Old Town’s most important church,
the 16th century Cathedral of Saint Spyridon, which
houses relics of Corfu’s patron saint, and an
eye-catching bell tower.
Cathedral of Saint Spyridon
Summer 2022
so Journ