HISTORY OF CORFU

For ten years Corfu experienced the first Venetian period.

When the Crusaders redistributed the Byzantine Empire in 1204, Corfu, along with other provinces, went to the Venetians, who captured the island in 1206 (after a strong resistance from the locals under the leadership of Vetrano) and established their own Deputy.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF IPIRUS 1214 – 1267

In 1214, Michael-Angelo Duca, Despot of Ipirus annexed Corfu to the newly established sovereignty of Ipirus. After his death, Michael-Angelo the Second built the impregnable stronghold of Angelokastro or Michael-Angelo Fort.

THE SICILIAN DOMINIONS

The Sicilian leader, Manfred, marched against the forces of Michael who was forced to hand over the island in 1259. However in 1266, When Manfred was killed in battle, Philip Cinardo, a Francocypriot knight and Manfred’s admiral seized Corfu. This is, however followed by the murder of Cinardo and the handing over of Corfu to the Garnerio brothers and Thomas Alamanos, who up till then had been the leaders of his army.