Corfu in ancient history
Corfu, or Kerkyra in Greek, is named after the Nymph Korkira, the daughter of the River God, Aesopos. According to a myth, Poseidon, God of the Sea, fell in love with Nymph Korkira, and brought her on this island. Archaeological excavations have proved that Corfu has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Era.
According to myth, Corfu was the island of the Phaeacians, where Odysseus landed on his return trip to Ithaca and met beautiful Nausicaa and he father king Alkinoos. In the ancient times, Corfu was a very important commercial centre. There was trading with all the towns of the Adriatic Sea, making Corfu a strong naval power and an important colonial town, known today as Paleopolis. The ruins of this ancient town are found right opposite the Mon Repos Palace in Corfu Town. Some ancient temples have also been excavated around the island, like the temple of Artemis.