Villa Mon Repos

Villa Mon Repos

author: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20310622

The beautiful villa Mon Repos lies on the Kanòni Peninsula, on the site where the most important center in the island, Paleópolis, once stood. The villa, with its neoclassical style, in the past was the residence of the British rulers: here Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, was born. Inside the villa, today you may visit the museum that illustrates the residence history and exhibits the area archaeological finds, including those coming from the old thermal baths the Romans had erected on this site.

In the lush and wide tree-lined park surrounding the villa, there are the ruins of ancient Greek shrines dedicated to Hera and Apollo and, at the top of an escarpment, in front of the sea, you may admire a well-preserved small Doric temple.

Kanòni Peninsula, 16 Dairpfela, Corfu

The old Venetian fortress

Corfu, Old Venetian Fortress (foto partner)

The town of Corfu was once surrounded with massive walls, since it was an important Venetian bulwark against Saracen raids.

The older fortress close to the sea rises on the natural islet at the east end of Corfu. It is reachable through the bridge connecting the promontory to the town, after following the Spianada, one of the most beautiful streets in the old town. The moat is now used as a dock for fishing boats.

The oldest part of the fortress dates back to Byzantine times, but the Venetians reinforced the ramparts and gave it its current appearance. The English were responsible for the construction of further defensive structures and of the small neo-Doric chapel dedicated to Saint George in 1840. Today it is possible to see only some parts of the imposing building, but the view makes it worth visiting.

EOS, Aurora

EOS, THE GODDESS OF THE DAWN

In classical mythology Eos, or the rosy-fingered goddess, is the goddess of the dawn. She comes from the East on a golden chariot, preceding Apollo’s chariot and the morning. It is a very popular subject in literature and art, portrayed as a beautiful and elegant girl. Her charm and romances aroused Aphrodite’s dislike: she punished Eos, condemning her to unhappy love. Ovid tells that the morning dew represents the tears the sad Eos shed when one of her sons died, victim of Achilles’ rage during the Trojan War.

Guercino, Aurora, Rome, Casino Ludovisi.

By Guercino – The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152454