Situada en la isla de su mismo nombre, frente a las costas de Albania y Grecia, la ciudad vieja de Corfú ocupa una posición estratégica a la entrada del Mar Adriático. Posee vestigios arqueológicos que datan del siglo VIII a.C. También cuenta con tres fortificaciones diseñadas por ingenieros venecianos, que durante cuatro siglos sirvieron para defender los intereses del comercio marítimo de la República de Venecia contra el Imperio Otomano. Con el correr del tiempo, las fortificaciones fueron reparadas y parcialmente reconstruidas en varias ocasiones. Las últimas obras fueron realizadas en el siglo XIX, en tiempos de la dominación británica. Los edificios de la ciudad vieja son en su mayoría de estilo neoclásico. Algunos datan de la dominación veneciana y otros de épocas más tardías, en particular del siglo XIX. La integridad y autenticidad de la vieja Corfú hacen de ella un ejemplo excepcional de ciudad portuaria fortificada del Mediterráneo.

Valor universal excepcional en inglés

The ensemble of the fortifications and the Old Town of Corfu is located in a strategic location at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. Historically, its roots go back to the 8th century BC and to the Byzantine period. It has thus been subject to various influences and a mix of different peoples. From the 15th century, Corfu was under Venetian rule for some four centuries, then passing to French, British and Greek governments. At various occasions, it had to defend the Venetian maritime empire against the Ottoman army. Corfu was a well thought of example of fortification engineering, designed by the architect Sanmicheli, and it proved its worth through practical warfare. Corfu has its specific identity, which is reflected in the design of its system of fortification and in its neo-classical building stock. As such, it can be placed alongside other major Mediterranean fortified port cities. Criterion (iv): The urban and port ensemble of Corfu, dominated by its fortresses of Venetian origin, constitutes an architectural example of outstanding universal value in both its authenticity and its integrity. The overall form of the fortifications has been retained and displays traces of Venetian occupation, including the Old Citadel and the New Fort, but primarily interventions from the British period. The present form of the ensemble results from the works in the 19th and 20th centuries. The authenticity and integrity of the urban fabric are primarily those of a neo-classical town. The responsibility for protection is shared by several institutions and relevant decrees. These include the Hellenic Ministry of Culture (ministerial decision of 1980), the Ministry of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Public Works (Presidential decree of 1980) and the Municipality of Corfu (Presidential decree of 1981). Also relevant are: the Greek law on the shoreline of towns and of islands in general; the law on the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage in general (n° 3028/2002) and the establishment of a new independent Superintendence for Byzantine and post-Byzantine antiquities, in 2006. A buffer zone has been established. The proactive policies of restoration and enhancement of the fortifications and of the citadel have resulted in a generally acceptable state of conservation. Many works however have still to be completed or started. A management plan has been prepared. An urban action plan, which is in line with the management plan of the nominated property, has just been adopted (2005) for the period 2006-2012.