In an effort to modernize and highlight Corfu as a destination for visitors, as well as attract investment, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakisvisited cultural sites and tourist infrastructure of the island. “Corfu is a unique living cultural monument. And at the same time, it has the honor of being recognized by UNESCO as a monument of world culture since 2007.“, he stressed.

In particular, the Prime Minister visited the Archaeological Museum of Corfu, where he took part in the presentation of the management plan (master plan) of the Old and New Fortress of the island. The monuments are among the most important surviving works of Venetian fortification architecture with later British intervention and make Corfu Old Town one of the most important historical fortified settlements in the Mediterranean. The first two projects, which, based on research, are considered the most relevant, have already been launched with funding from the Recovery Fund.

“You see that the funds of the Recovery Fund are directed to a number of activities that cover the entire region. I say this because here we must destroy some of the myths that are being cultivated that the Recovery Fund supposedly only concerns some big and influential people.

You can see his imprint even here in Corfu. And we are ready to mobilize other additional resources for this huge work. Because protecting such a rich cultural heritage, a city that was a crossroads of cultures, originating, in fact, from the depths of centuries, is not an easy task. It’s also not cheap.

This requires significant resources to be mobilized, but it is these resources that, in turn, will allow Corfu to remain a unique place for visitors and, of course, significantly fuel the local economy in this way,” said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. .

“Illuminating and Protecting the Entire Old Town of Corfu”

“Corfu is a unique living monument of culture. And at the same time, it also has the honor of being classified as a UNESCO World Cultural Monument since 2007.

Advance and protect the entire Old City Corfunot only two Castles, is a common goal that we, as a government, share with the Local Government of the 2nd and 1st degree, with the Region and with the Municipality.

And I’m glad that today we now have a tool, a very thorough study of isolating and protecting the two Fortresses, which, at the same time, makes us rethink the way we will defend the entire Old Town of Corfu.

Which in itself is a great magnet for visitors, a great source of wealth for the island, but also gives rise to the need for its protection and a number of obligations on the part of the state, as well as on the part of all those who are involved in the Old City,” the Prime Minister said.

“We must preserve this unique World Heritage Site. This requires significant resources – part will be allocated by the central government, part will be allocated by the region, part will be allocated by the municipalities – this may also require new financial instruments, which we must think about looking to the future, not to the future. past.

But the main thing that is required for this is a better understanding between all parties involved. I look forward to the active reopening of the Old City Management Agency, because we have already encountered problems that cannot be postponed indefinitely.

Hypertourism and the protection of cultural heritage from hypertourism is a reality. The same source of income for the island at the same time can cut the branch on which we all sit. And some decisions will have to be made, and, of course, it is good that these decisions are made with the highest possible consensus and with the support of the local community,” added Mr. Mitsotakis.

The main objectives of the plan are protection, restoration and maintenance of the two fortresses, emphasizing and promoting their character. At the same time, it is planned to improve their infrastructure and their accessibility, and the main concern is the harmonious coexistence of the Fortresses with the urban fabric of the Old City, of which they are part, in order to preserve the quality of life of the inhabitants.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was also briefed on the project to create accessibility for people with disabilities in the Old Fortress and Old City, which is expected to be completed this year, under which the Archaeological Museum will additionally offer digital navigation applications for the disabled.

Previously, the Prime Minister visited Villa Ross, a symbolic 19th-century mansion now being restored by salvaging the building complex, enhancing its functionality and installing state-of-the-art bioclimatic electro-mechanical equipment, fulfilling a multi-year request. local community.

Villa Rossa, built in 1864 and extended in 1912, is recognized as a work of art and a historical monument. After completion of the works, the complex and its outer space will be used as a place of culture and exhibitions.

After that, Kyriakos Mitsotakis walked from Liston Square to Eleftherias pedestrian street, talked to shopkeepers and citizens, as well as tourists, and also lit a candle in the church of St. Spyridon.

The Prime Minister also visited the Municipal Gallery of the Municipality of Corfu and the Museum of Kapodistrias. In the Art Gallery, he had the opportunity to see the original handwritten score of the second composition of the “Hymn to Eleftherian” by Nikolaos Mantzaros, which is exhibited as part of the exhibition “In the Echoes of the Struggle.” In the museum, housed in the historic summer home of the Kapodistrias family, Kyriakos Mitsotakis saw exhibits chronicling the journey of the first governor of a free Greek state, from his childhood in Corfu and the development of his political activities to his assassination. in Nafplion.

The Prime Minister also visited the tourist yacht shelter in Spilia, where he was briefed on the ongoing port projects and talked to the workers.

A modern infrastructure will be created on the site, which will have 80 berths for servicing boats up to 25 meters long and their crews, with direct and convenient access to the historic city center.

The project is part of a wider planning framework to attract investment and develop marinas that can accommodate pleasure boats and take advantage of the strong tourism potential of the Ionian Islands, as well as the opportunities offered by the Ionian Sea as a field for maritime tourism, making Corfu a central pole. in a wider area.

With information from APE-MPE