Kanoni

The cosmopolitan Kanoni is one of the most famous Corfu sights, covers the entire peninsula south of Corfu town. In antiquity there was the ancient city of Corfu founded here in the 8th century BC by Dorians who came from Korinth. It was named so, because of the artillery that had been set up there by the French, during the first French occupation of Corfu Island. Kanoni is a place of breathtaking beauty with a magnificent view to the island with the monastery of Vlacherna and the Mouse Island, Pontikonissi. Mouse Island is uninhabited today and used to house monastery. Today there is a small chapel here devoted to The Transfiguration of Christ. If you are fans of Gerald Durrell’s book, you may know that on the opposite hill called Perama stayed two of three villas occupied by the Durrell’s family during their stay in Corfu. (The strawberry-Pink Villa and The Snow-White Villa. Both are private houses and not open for visitors) Small Gerry played on the coast and visited often monk living in the monastery on Mouse Island.
Many people visit bars in south end of Kanoni to admire view to Mouse Island and Vlacherna and watch airplanes landing at nearby airport.
In Kanoni there is Mon Repos Palace built by Sir Frederick Adam, the British high commissioner of the Ionian Islands. It is a neo-classical building built in 1828. In 1864 when the Ionian Islands united with the rest of Greece, the Mon Repos was given to the Greek Royal family. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh was born in the villa. In the park and areas near villa you can see many remains from ancient town. The park is opened daily without entrance fee. Mon Repo Villa houses Museum of Paleopolis and is open daily except Wednesdays.