Town Hall, Corfu
Picture yourself standing in the heart of Corfu鈥檚 Old Town, where the Town Hall claims pride of place on its namesake square. At first glance, it looks like something Venice might have misplaced, with its marble arches, sculpted masks, and a fa莽ade that seems far too elegant to be just another civic building. And in truth, it wasn鈥檛 built for that purpose at all. Between 1663 and 1693, this was the Lodge of the Noblemen鈥攁n exclusive Venetian-era club where Corfu鈥檚 elite gathered to talk politics, throw parties, and remind everyone else of their status.
The Venetians left their fingerprints all over the place, quite literally in the stonework. Step closer, and you鈥檒l spot the masks, engraved emblems, and intricate flourishes decorating the walls. Standing guard on the eastern wall is a bust of Admiral Francesco Morosini, the Venetian naval commander whose r茅sum茅 included campaigns across the Mediterranean. He鈥檚 not alone up there: four small figures representing his virtues keep him company, in case anyone forgot he was meant to be admired.
As the centuries rolled on, the building reinvented itself. In 1720, it became the Noble Theatre of Saint Giacomo, where aristocrats would be just spectators. Then, in 1903, it swapped curtains for council meetings and officially became Corfu鈥檚 Town Hall. The archives of the theatre were tragically lost in 1943 during a German bombing, with only the main stage curtain surviving鈥攖oday it鈥檚 preserved in the New Municipal Theatre as a rare fragment of that era.
For visitors today, the Town Hall is less about bureaucracy and more about standing in front of one of Corfu鈥檚 finest Venetian legacies. Its Renaissance style and central location make it a natural stop for anyone exploring the Old Town. The building still carries the air of a stage鈥攐nly now, the players are tourists, locals, and the daily life of Corfu itself.
The Venetians left their fingerprints all over the place, quite literally in the stonework. Step closer, and you鈥檒l spot the masks, engraved emblems, and intricate flourishes decorating the walls. Standing guard on the eastern wall is a bust of Admiral Francesco Morosini, the Venetian naval commander whose r茅sum茅 included campaigns across the Mediterranean. He鈥檚 not alone up there: four small figures representing his virtues keep him company, in case anyone forgot he was meant to be admired.
As the centuries rolled on, the building reinvented itself. In 1720, it became the Noble Theatre of Saint Giacomo, where aristocrats would be just spectators. Then, in 1903, it swapped curtains for council meetings and officially became Corfu鈥檚 Town Hall. The archives of the theatre were tragically lost in 1943 during a German bombing, with only the main stage curtain surviving鈥攖oday it鈥檚 preserved in the New Municipal Theatre as a rare fragment of that era.
For visitors today, the Town Hall is less about bureaucracy and more about standing in front of one of Corfu鈥檚 finest Venetian legacies. Its Renaissance style and central location make it a natural stop for anyone exploring the Old Town. The building still carries the air of a stage鈥攐nly now, the players are tourists, locals, and the daily life of Corfu itself.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Corfu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Town Hall on Map
Sight Name: Town Hall
Sight Location: Corfu, Greece (See walking tours in Corfu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Corfu, Greece (See walking tours in Corfu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Corfu, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Corfu
Creating your own self-guided walk in Corfu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Paleopoli Ancient Ruins Walking Tour
The Archeological sites trace the history of ancient Corfu from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD. The Temple of Artemis Gorgon, located near the monastery of Agoi Theodori Stratias, dates from circa 590 BC. The pediment is thought to be the oldest stone pediment found.
Artemis, in the form of Gorgon, is running as she faces the observer. Her children, Chryssaor and Pegasus, are by her... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Artemis, in the form of Gorgon, is running as she faces the observer. Her children, Chryssaor and Pegasus, are by her... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Corfu Old Town Walking Tour
Poseidon, the god of the sea, was obsessed with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, the daughter of the river god Asopus. Poseidon abducted Korkyra and carried her off to an unnamed island. He called the island Korkyra, after his lady love. This island later became Corfu.
By the 8th century BC, the Greek city Corinth had claimed it as a colony, and its ships became key players in the Peloponnesian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
By the 8th century BC, the Greek city Corinth had claimed it as a colony, and its ships became key players in the Peloponnesian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Things To Do In Corfu, Greece
Greek Islands, such as Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, and many others, are a popular destination for people trying to escape the chaotic lifestyle back home. Corfu is one island that has it all: great weather, tasty food, relaxed atmosphere and an abundance of places to explore. The island...