New Fortress

Corfu, Greece, Greece

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The New Fortress of Corfu is a massive Venetian fortification that overlooks the old port of Corfu Town.

Built mainly between the late 16th and early 18th centuries on St. Mark’s Hill, it was constructed by the Venetians to strengthen the island’s defenses after repeated Ottoman threats and to complement the nearby Old Fortress. Designed as a sophisticated military stronghold, the fortress features thick stone walls, bastions, tunnels, underground passages, and defensive positions that once housed hundreds of artillery pieces.

Its layout was carefully planned to protect both the harbor and the town from attack. Over the centuries, the fortress was further modified by the French and British, who expanded and adapted its defenses. Today, visitors can still see impressive Venetian architectural elements, including the Lion of Saint Mark, as well as the maze-like interior passages and ramparts.

The New Fortress is one of Corfu’s most important historical landmarks, offering insight into the island’s strategic role in the Mediterranean and providing spectacular views over Corfu Town, the harbor, the Ionian Sea, and the nearby Albanian coast.