View from the hotel
Corfu Town (Kerkyra) is a principal port and the largest town in the Ionian islands. It is built between two Venetian castles, having its own unique atmosphere. It is a thriving mass of shops and businesses, set amongst a captivating and charming assortment of elegant buildings, churches, imposing fortresses and narrow alleyways leading to hidden squares.

The tall buildings with the 'volta'(arches), the 'cantounia' (narrow flagstoned streets), the 'mouragia' (sea-walls) are showing all a clear Italian influence. One of the most beautiful walks in the town is around the Esplanade (Spianada square), one of the biggest squares in Europe which is the hub of the Corfiot's life. Here you can walk around or sit in one of the many cafe bars underneath the arches of the 'Liston', a name probably derived from a similar promenade in Venice. Liston was built during the imperial French occupation and is reminiscent of the larger 'Arcades' of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris.

At the northern end of Esplanade stands the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, one of the most elegant buildings in Corfu. Opposite the west front of the palace is a beautiful building which now houses the Reading Society of Corfu, the oldest cultural institute in modern Greece, founded in 1836. The Reading Society contains a unique library of Greek and foreign books as well as a large collection of manuscripts, newspapers, periodicals, paintings, maps and engravings.

As one's gaze leaves the Esplanade, after lingering on the palace, it embraces a magnificent view towards the coastal road (Arseniou Street) with its sea-walls. Following the coastal road will take you to the Old Harbour of Corfu and the other Venetian castle, the New Fortress. Along this road the narrow lanes ('cantounia') lead to the Campielo, the oldest quarter of the town. Here the visitor can find the oldest houses and many of the historic churches in Corfu. At the northern end of Capodistria Street stands the Capodistria Mansion, an excellent example of neo-classical architecture. Here John Capodistrias, the first President of Greece, was born.

Another notable landmark in the old town is the central market. The most interesting street here is Nickiforou Theotoki as the rows upon rows of 'volta' standing on their stone columns and the tall buildings form one of the most characteristic aspects of Corfu Town. In a little square on Nickiforou Theotoki Street stands the building of the Ionian Bank. On the first floor of the building the Paper Money Museum is housed. At the far end of the square is the Church of St. Spyridon. It shelters the body of St. Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu and one of the great Saints of Greek Orthodoxy and draws a constant stream of pilgrims from all over Greece every year.

Between Evgeniou Voulgareos Street and a modern square stands the most elegant of the Venetian buildings in Corfu, The Town Hall in baroque style. At the end of Moustoxydi Street stands another building of the period of British rule, the historic The Ionian Parliament.

The Cavalieri hotel has a most privileged position in the heart of this fascinating town. Around it beautiful buildings, statues and churches witness to the passing of great civilisations.