Spianada Square, a large park which stands between the Old Fort and the French arcaded buildings of Liston Street. The area was once occupied by houses, demolished by the Venetians in the 1500s as a measure to better improve the defensive position of the Old Fort. It was later adorned with trees by the French — including horse-chestnut, lime trees, elms and acacias. A series of monuments can be found within the grounds including a commemoration of the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece, and a rotunda erected in honour of British soldier Sir Thomas Maitland, who served as Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands and Governor of Malta during the colonial period. It is styled in the Greek Revival style of neo-classical architecture, similar to the Palace of St. Michael and St. George—located at the opposite end of the square—and the Church of St. George—situated within the grounds of the Old Fort—which one may be forgive for mistaking for a temple out of Ancient Greece.

Across from Spianada Square is the entrance to the Venetian Old Fort, an impressive structure built upon a promontory beside the town. Construction of the fort was first carried out by the Byzantines, later reinforced by the Venetians, and further improved by the British in the 1800s. We traced the walls and staircases to the top to take in a view of the town, and the surrounding waters crowned the Greek mainland.

The Campiello District houses some of Corfu’s oldest buildings amongst the narrow streets of its neighbourhoods. We weaved our way through throngs of people along the market streets with their busy stores, here we purchased hand carved utensils made with olive wood harvested on the island, along with kumquat liqueur – a staple product of Corfu that has roots in the fruits introduction to the island from China by the British in 1846. The further we ventured from the hubbub of the centre, the quieter the Campiello District became, until we were eventually alone. Shadowed alleyways give way to tiny squares – one of which contains the charming Venetian Well of Kremesti. I stopped in another of these squares for a few moments and watched as a woman hung clothes from her balcony in the midday sun, warmth radiated from the walls of the picturesque houses, many of which are adorned with green shutters – a trend made popular during Venetian rule on the island.

We stopped for lunch before leaving the Campiello District where we enjoyed some home made cherry ice cream. Beside the café stood a narrow opening between two buildings which contained a flight of steps that led to the Metropolitan Church of Our Lady Spelaiotissa, St Vlasios and St Theodora Augusta, 10th Infantry Battalion Square, and the Old Harbour.

On our second morning we visited the New Fort, built by the Venetians between 1577 and 1588 as further protection from Ottoman incursions. From atop a most splendid view of the town is afforded. You can see almost everything, save for Liston Street which hides between the throng of buildings and the Old Fort that rises up at their horizon. It impressed me to look upon the immense fortifications. Walking in the confined channel between the walls of the fort and the bastion where a would-be besieger may have found himself trapped after breaking through the outer wall. Inside the forts barracks we were able to climb to the first level, which had been improved with a new staircase so that visitors could enter. A series of vast and empty chambers gave way to small windows that framed the coast and the mountains of the mainland beyond. I was delighted to discover three large Venetian lions embossed on the walls of the fortifications while walking along the road on the forts west side that leads to the port.

Having spent much of the second day at the New Fort, we made our way back through the labyrinth of streets toward the Church of Saint Spyridon — Corfu’s patron saint. Built in 1589 the church is one of the most prominent landmarks in the town, thanks to its lofty bell tower topped with red dome (the highest spot in the town, not including the forts). The churches doors open to marble floors and panelled walls, its ceiling is adorned with beautiful religious art set within gold guilt framing. Silver lamps sparkle amidst the many religious icons on display (photographs were not permitted).

Constructed during French rule, the promenade of Liston Street is amongst Corfu Town’s best known landmarks. Built adjacent to Spianada Square, it is lined with elegant Parisian style arcades. Servers from the streets many cafés made their way to and from seating on the opposite side of the pedestrian street, where one can sit and enjoy a coffee or beer beneath the trees while looking out onto a large grassy square where children played and people gathered for games of cricket. At the night the entire avenue is lit up by its iconic lanterns that hang between each archway.

We stopped for dinner at one Liston Street’s restaurants as the light of day began to die. Here we sat outside and saw the iconic lanterns which line the promenade come aglow. After dinner we went for a nighttime walk nearby, the many cafés and restaurants still lively with patrons. I took long some long exposure photographs of the scene.