Wednesday 26/6/24

Corfu Old Town Walking Tour

In this tour, you will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the main historical landmarks of Corfu’s old town. Starting from the Ionian Academy building at Spianada Square then walking towards the Ionian Parliament, the Old Fortress (built by the Byzantines and finished by the Venetians), the emblematic Church of St George (within the Old Fortress), the Boschetto Gardens, the Garden of the People, the Palace of St Michael & St George (former British Governor’s mansion and a summer residence for the Greek Royal Family), Church of Agios Spyridon, the Campiello (the oldest and most atmospheric quarter), the Banknote Museum of Ionian Bank and ending at the Cosmopolitan Liston and Spianada Square.

Welcome Reception

On Wednesday evening, ICOT2024’s Welcome Reception will take place at the historic building of Ionian Academy (1, Kapodistriou str.).

The Ionian Academy was the first University in Greece of modern times. It operated in the island of Corfu from 1824 to 1864, prior to the Union of the Ionian Islands with the Greek State. It was founded as a higher education institution by Frederic North, Count of Guilford and Lord of Education of the Ionian State, while the latter was under British rule. At first, the University’s Seat was the island of Ithaca. However, the seat was transferred in Corfu when the Greek War of Independence (1821) broke out, with the official inauguration of the Ionian Academy on the 29th of May 1824. The foundation of the University was met originally with negative reactions. The Ionian Academy would enable social classes other than aristocrats, who until then were the only class which could afford university studies, to access higher education. Consequently, the exclusivity of aristocrats on positions of authority and public office was threatened. Other concerns were about the cost of operation, and the openness of the Ionian Academy, since it would accept students from any part of Greece and not exclusively from the Ionian State.

Greek scholars taught classes in Greek, aimed to students from Greece, Mediterranean and Balkan countries who, up to that time, had to travel in Europe to be able to attend university. The original plan was that the Ionian Academy would include four Schools, namely Theology, Law, Medicine and Philosophy. While operating for 40 years, remarkable professors included Konstantinos Asopios, Christoforos Filitas, Ioannis Karantinos, Nikolaos Piccolos, the renowned Greek poet Andreas Kalvos, Neofytos Vamvas, Konstantinos Typaldos, Athanasios Politis, the philosopher, politician and diplomat Petros Vrailas-Armenis, Konstantinos Zavitsianos and Charalambos Typaldos Pretenderis, and many more.

In this Reception you will be welcomed by the members of the organizing committee of the conference and have the opportunity to get acquainted in the indoors and outdoords idyllic atmospheres enjoying snacks and drinks.

Friday 28/6/24

GALA DINNER

A Gala Diner will be offered at 20:00 at the People’s Garden; a small municipal green space, ideal for recreation, rest and relaxation. It is located behind the Palace of Saints Michael and Georgiou, at the edge of the Old Town and next to the church of Panagia Mandrakina. From the eastern side of the garden passes Vasileos Georgiou A’ Street, which leads to the city’s municipal parking area, while Spianada stretches south of it. From the west side of the garden one can enjoy the view towards the sea, the port of Mandraki, the island of Vidos and the Old Fortress. Formerly the location was called Royal Gardens. In fact, for the descent from the garden to the sea, a circular aerial staircase made of wrought iron was placed which was used for the passage of the members of the royal family to the baths. The People’s Garden hosts the busts of the Corfu writer and jurist Spyros Plaskovitis, the Corfu economist, academic and writer Andreas Andreadis, as well as the monument to the Corfu fallen of the Second World War. It is laid out with stone paths and planted with tall trees and various flowers. Benches have been placed in the area, while an art gallery operates at the back of the Palaces. Various cultural events are organized in the surrounding area.

 

Saturday 29/6/24

DAY TRIP (9:00 – 17:00)

09:30 Visit to Mon Repos Palace. Mon Repos Palace is situated on top of Analipsis Hill, near the Kanoni area, in the middle of a beautiful setting full of greenery. It was built in 1826 by British Commissioner Frederic Adams as a gift to his wife, Nina Palatianou, who came from Corfu. It is a small but very beautiful palace with colonial architectural elements. Later on, the palace became the summer residence of all British governors of Corfu and when the Ionian Islands were united to Greece, in 1864, it was given as a gift to King George I of Greece. This is also the house where Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elisabeth II, was born on June, 10th, 1921.

11.30 Visit to Pontikonisi Island. Pontikonisi Island is a lush and full of trees rock, which is located opposite the Kanoni area and the international airport of Corfu “Ioannis Kapodistrias”. It was named after the fact, that it resembles a mouse while seeing from above. It is a sacred place, since a small Byzantine church, the well-known temple of Saint Pantokrator, is to be found. Regular itineraries are being conducted from the Kanoni and the Perama area as well as from the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae.

13.30 Free time for lunch, coffee and swimming at Paleokastritsa Village. This long-stretched village on the mid-west coast of Corfu is one of the most visited places on the island because of its extraordinary beauty. The area now called Paleokastritsa (or Paleo, as the locals often call it) consists of a large number of beaches, bays, peninsulas and cliffs. The original Paleokastritsa was at the very end of the road covering the area of the Monastery and the 3 beaches.

16.00 Return to the city and the airport