History of the Ionian Islands in Greece

The islands of the Ionian Sea have been different from all others since antiquity, because nature has endowed them with exceptional beauty. Fertile soil, mild climate, forested mountains. Very high white cliffs by the azure sea, silent shores with white sand to which it was easy to moored a ship looking for shelter. Therefore, the Ionian Islands have been inhabited for immemorial time.

Archaeological data indicate that the first inhabitants appeared here in the Stone Age, but the heyday began in the Mycenaean era. It was at that time the all-Greek campaign against Troy took place. Among its participants was Odysseus, the hero of Homer, whose kingdom was located on one of these islands, known as Ithaca.

Homer also tells of two other islands - Lefkada and the rich and beautiful country of the Theacians, which was located on Kerkyra (Corfu). The Corinthians took possession of Corfu in the VIII century B.C. Kerkyra, and in the VII century B.C. of Lefkada. These islands were to serve as bases for their fleet on the way to Sicily and other lands of the West. However, Kerkyra grew stronger and became an ally of Athens. This gave rise to the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta in 431 BC. In 146 B.C. the Ionian islands came under Roman and later Byzantine rule. The Venetians took them in 1380 and remained here for more than 400 years.

But these islands have always remained Greek. The arts flourished here and prominent writers, including the national poet Dionysios Solomos, created here their masterpieces. Of the other arts, painting and music especially flourished here.

Venetian rule ended in 1797 as a result of Napoleon's victories, when the islands were seized by the French. In 1799 the Russian-Turkish fleet expelled the French, and in 1800 a treaty was signed to form the "State of the Seven United Islands" ("Eptanis"). Thus for the first time the islands gained some autonomy. The name "Seven Islands" was given because of the number of main islands. "The State of the Seven United Islands" existed only seven years and after the return of the French, in 1815, an agreement was signed recognizing an independent "State of the Ionian Islands," but under the patronage of England. Unfortunately, this patronage became a new foreign domination, and thus the dream of independence dissipated again.

But the people of the Ionian Islands did not stop fighting. When Greece rebelled against the Turks, the islands provided very significant assistance, despite the opposition of the British. On the Ionian Islands the leaders of the national liberation war of 1821 were sworn in. The first ruler of Greece was Ioannis Capodistria of Kerkyria in 1828. However, the Ionian Islands remained under English rule until final reunification with Greece in 1864.

Together with the seven main islands, among the many islets and sea cliffs scattered across the Ionian Sea and the Korinthiakos Gulf, there are a total of 28 inhabited Ionian islands. To get to know them, we recommend a yacht trip. This is the only way to get both comfort and maximum freedom.