Venetian Blazon with the Lion of Saint Mark
The Venetian Blazon with the Lion of Saint Mark is a stone relief carved into the rampart wall of the New Fortress in Corfu. The carving displays the winged lion, Venice's historical symbol, and stands as a recognizable mark of Venetian rule on this fortified structure.
The fortress was built starting around 1572 under Venetian rule, designed by Italian engineer Ferrante Vitelli. The blazon on the walls documents Venice's long control of Corfu, which lasted from the late 1300s until the late 1700s.
The blazon displays the winged lion of Saint Mark, a symbol reflecting Venice's long rule over the island. Visitors can see this carving on the fortress walls and recognize how Venetian culture continues to shape the architecture and symbols of Corfu today.
The fortress sits close to Corfu Town and is reachable on foot in about nine minutes from the main bus station. Weekday mornings are the best time to visit when the walls are easily accessible and less crowded.
The blazon was partly built using stones from the ancient city of Paleopolis, which were worked into the fortress walls. These reused stones connect ancient and Venetian history on the same stone surface.
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