The earliest recorded history of Corfu dates back to 734 BC, at a time when the island was called Corcyra. Corcyra was highly respected by the Corinthians and it became a significant naval power, second only to Corinth itself.

Corcyra became Greece’s first maritime city, with a strong naval fleet being called into action to fight on many occasions. The status of Corcyra continued to rise, but having faced a number of invasions, many began to campaign for independence after the death of Alexander in 255 BC.

The Middle Ages saw plenty of change on Corfu with the island ruled first by The Despotate of Epiros and then by the Angevins whose rule ended with the death of Charles III of Anjou in 1386. There then followed a long period of relative stability here with the Venetians ruling from 1386 to 1797.

Agriculture, and in particular the cultivation of olive trees, thrived during the Venetian period and the olive groves that are dotted around the island today are a legacy of Venetian rule. The usage of many Italian and Venetian words within the language on Corfu can also be attributed to this period of rule.

Russian-Turkish control under the Treaty of Constantinople didn’t bring long term stability to the island, but this short period of rule did see some significant infrastructure improvements and general prosperity. The Treaty of Tilsit resulted in another short period of French rule from 1807 to 1814, until the British saw the French off and controlled the Island until 1864 when Corfu once again became part of Greece.

WWII brought another period of flux, with first the Italians and the Germans taking control until the war’s conclusion saw the island return to Greece. Since the end of WWII, Corfu has continued to develop with a thriving tourist industry central to this; Corfu has become one of Greece’s premier tourist destinations.