The Jewish Quarter of Corfu

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Located in the heart of Corfu Town, the historic Jewish Quarter (Evraiki) is one of the most vibrant and popular neighbourhoods, which  is flocking down with locals and visitors who stroll the maze of its alleyways and immerse in the unique atmosphere of this fascinating area and city.

The Jewish presence in Corfu dates back to the middle of the 12th century. The Corfiot Jews are a mixture of Pugliese (from south Italy) and Romaniote (from Greece). The Pugliese Jews arrived in Corfu from Apulia in the 16th century after being persecuted in their homelands. By the end of the 19th century the Jewish community of the Island numbered appr. 7000, while today it numbers around 60 Jews.

Although many of its buildings were destroyed in the Second World War, the Jewish Quarter still oozes atmosphere and charm at every corner and is dominated by narrow streets, multi storey old homes, traditional small shops, delis and tavernas.

The yellow painted  ‘’Scuola Greca Synagogue of Corfu’’, one of the four that once existed and still holding services today, was built in the Venetian style in the 18th century.  A plaque outside reminds us that Corfu’s  Jewish Quarter was also the birthplace of the celebrated novelist Albert Cohen, who is also commemorated with a street named after him ‘’Alvertou Koen street.’’

In front of the New Fortress, the ‘’Never Again for Any Nation’’ bronze Holocaust memorial is devoted to the 2000 Corfu Jews perished in the Nazi concentration camps in 1944. The memorial is honoring all the precious lives lost and urges us to remember all of the dark days of human history.


We are very happy to include with many of our groups a visit to the Jewish Quarter, where our expert guides uncover the story of the Jewish community and the events of the Second World War that marked their history.

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