(1/2) The New Fortress, an excellent example of a late Renaissance fortification, was built during Venetian rule (1576–1578) at the northwestern end of Corfu Town on the rocky hill of St. Mark's. It is part of the fortification complex, a project entrusted to the engineer Ferdinardo (Ferrante) Vitelli. The name "New" served to distinguish it from the existing fortification to the east of the town, which has since been called the "Old Fortress."

The New Fortress, like the entire western front, adheres to the principles of the bastion system. It consists of two fortification levels. The low level is located to the northeast and protected the commercial port of Spilia. It has two monumental gates. The eastern gate is crowned with the winged Lion of St. Mark, the symbol of the Serenissima, the Republic of Venice. The high level, with the two bastions of the Seven Winds (Sette Venti), protected the town from the west, from the landward side.

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Frank

June 30, 2025

(2/2) Shortly after its construction, the fortress was reinforced with an angular fort called Scarpon.

The New Fortress played an important role during the last Ottoman siege in 1716, during which military operations were concentrated on the western front of the city.

Under British protection (1814–1864), several modifications were made to the fortress, as it was considered particularly important for the defense of the island. The most important was the construction of the imposing defensive barracks, which dominate the upper level of the fortress and were substantially redesigned at that time.

A second barracks from the time of British protection (which now houses Corfu's naval base) has been preserved on the lower level of the fortress, along with gunpowder magazines, underground water tanks, and a network of tunnels for communication between the various parts.

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Elevation 30 m

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Monday 27 October

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17°C

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Location: Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση Πελοποννήσου Δυτικής Ελλάδας και Ιονίου, Greece

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