Corfu, one of Greece’s most historically and culturally rich islands, carries a profound cultural heritage shaped by centuries of conquest, coexistence, and cultural blending. Venetian, French, and British influences coexist with Greek and Orthodox traditions, forming a unique mosaic of cultural identity. However, in recent years, the explosive growth of tourism while economically vital for the island has led to the marginalization and even degradation of the very monuments that once stood as the heart and soul of Corfiot identity. Among the most striking examples of this neglect are the Old Fortress and the New Fortress, two of Corfu’s most iconic landmarks.
The Old Fortress, constructed by the Venetians in the 15th century atop Byzantine foundations, served for centuries as the ultimate symbol of Corfu’s defensive might. With its sea moat, impressive entrance bridge, and the lighthouse perched at the top, it remains a monument of strategic, architectural, and historical importance. Yet despite its grandeur, the fortress has undergone a gradual decline, due in part to the island’s over-reliance on tourism as its main economic engine.
As the tourism industry increasingly focuses on easily consumable forms of leisure such as beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and picturesque strolls through the Old Town the Old Fortress is often reduced to a photogenic backdrop or an occasional venue for events, rather than a historic site worthy of sustained attention. During peak tourist seasons, the entrance becomes a site of overcrowding and superficial “consumption” by visitors, which diminishes the sense of awe and reverence that such a monument should inspire.
Moreover, the lack of systematic maintenance is obvious: faded signs, inadequate lighting, few professional guides, and a near-complete absence of educational or immersive programs. The commodification of the cultural experience strips the fortress of its potential as a vibrant cultural space, leaving it as little more than a decorative relic present, but not alive in the public consciousness.
The New Fortress, built in the late 16th century as a response to evolving military tactics, arguably represents an even more extreme case of cultural neglect. Despite its strategic position, impressive architecture, and panoramic views of the Old Town and the harbor, the fortress rarely captures the interest of mainstream tourists. Access to many parts of the site is either difficult, poorly marked, or even hazardous, with numerous areas left to decay from time and moisture.
Even more disappointing is the fortress’s transformation into a functional space devoid of cultural narrative: it is used for exhibitions or even as a municipal storage facility, with no unified vision for its use and no regard for its monumental significance. As a result, visitors fail to grasp the site’s strategic role, historical function, or architectural value it becomes just “another spot with a nice view.”
The tourism boom of recent decades in Corfu has undoubtedly created major economic opportunities. At the same time, however, this growth has been driven by a model that favors mass, “fast” tourism focused on entertainment and consumption, at the expense of a deeper, culturally enriched experience. This shift in priorities has led to the emergence of what might be called an “invisible” cultural heritage: the monuments still exist, but they are not treated as living entities of cultural meaning. They are promoted for tourism, but they do not serve genuine cultural education or identity formation.
The state, hampered by a lack of funding and strategic planning, has been unable to invest in the sustainable management of these sites. Consequently, the fortresses are left to their fate and, in many ways, to the mercy of unchecked tourism.
Today, Corfu stands at a critical crossroads: it must choose whether to continue consuming its cultural heritage as a short-term tourist commodity or to reclaim it as the foundation for a new, sustainable cultural and economic model. The Old and New Fortresses are far more than stone walls and ancient battlements they are vessels of memory, narratives, and fragments of the island’s collective soul. If they are not given a voice again, if they are not treated with the care and respect they demand, Corfu risks losing not only its cultural identity but also the very essence of what it offers to the world.
