New Venetian Fortress, Military fortress in Corfu, Greece
The New Fortress sits on San Marcos hill with pentagonal stone walls, bastions, and gates that overlook the western part of Corfu Town. The structure includes multiple internal levels and chambers designed to house troops and supplies for extended defense operations.
Venetian military engineer Ferrante Vitelli designed this defensive structure between 1576 and 1645 to protect the island from invasion threats. Construction progressed gradually during this long period as the design was strengthened and expanded to address emerging challenges.
The fortress reflects its Venetian past through the arrangement of its stone walls and bastions that visitors can observe while walking through the complex. The layout shows how military engineers organized the space to defend the island from sea and land approaches.
The main entrance is on the eastern side and can be reached on foot, though the uphill climb takes some effort. Guided tours are available and provide an overview of the complex and how the different areas functioned together.
Building the fortress required demolishing around 2000 houses to create the Esplanade, a large open area west of the old city. This vast space served as a buffer zone between the older fortress and the residential areas that developed nearby.
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