New Fortress, Corfu

The New Fortress of Corfu is a historic Venetian military installation located on the hill of St. Mark in Corfu City, Greece. Constructed in stages beginning in 1572 and continuing past 1728, the structure was originally designed by the military engineer Ferrante Vitelli using hewn ashlar stone. While the core fortifications are Venetian, the complex evolved significantly over centuries. The British, during their rule of the Ionian Islands from 1815 to 1864, added many of the current buildings within the walls. The fortress was part of an extensive defensive network expanded by both French and British forces to protect against potential Ottoman attacks, eventually housing up to 700 pieces of artillery with a range reaching the Albanian coast.

Historically, the site played a critical role in regional conflicts, including the Siege of Corfu between 1798 and 1799 and the Corfu incident of 1923. Throughout its existence, the fortress changed hands multiple times, serving under the Republic of Venice, various French regimes, the Septinsular Republic, the United States of the Ionian Islands, and finally the modern Greek state. Today, the property is owned by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports and remains open to the public. While it stands as a preserved historical monument, parts of the complex retain active utility; notably, a brick building at the summit currently functions as the headquarters for the Naval Station of Corfu, blending ancient defense architecture with modern naval operations.