Byzantine Fortress of Gardiki

The Byzantine Fortress of Gardiki is a medieval stronghold on Corfu's southwest coast, built with an octagonal design and eight square towers. Horizontal rows of ceramic tiles decorate the fortress walls, creating a distinctive appearance along the ancient structure.

This fortress was built in the 13th century as part of a defensive network that included two other castles on Corfu. Together, these three strongholds protected the island before Venetian forces took control.

The southern tower holds remains of a chapel decorated with religious frescoes showing Byzantine saints, revealing how faith was woven into the fortress's daily life. These images show what mattered spiritually to the people who lived here.

The site sits near the village of Agios Matthaios and welcomes visitors, though it is managed by Greece's Ministry of Culture. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the grounds have little shade and the paths can be uneven.

Excavations at this location uncovered Upper Paleolithic tools and animal bones dating back about 20,000 years. These discoveries, now displayed in Corfu's Archaeological Museum, reveal that people lived on this land long before the fortress was built.