Four centuries of Venetian rule were to determine the character of the island. The existing feudal system was strengthened through the nobility which was listed in the 'Libro d'Oro', while at the same time new social classes made their appearance, the 'civili' (bourgeoisie) and the 'popolari' (the common people). Not only were commerce and agriculture at their peak, thanks to the compulsory planting of olive trees and their cultivation, but intellectual and artistic life also flourished.
While the rest of the Greek world was under the Turkish yoke, the protected Corfiots spoke Italian and enjoyed a flowering of literature and the arts. For this reason, many literary and artistic figures from other parts of Greece made their way to Corfu to settle. But this cultural development was the privilege of the aristocracy, and was made at the expense of those in the country who, working without economic profit and living in a cultural void, began to revolt. The first uprising came in 1610 and was followed by four major and several minor revolts, all of which were savagely suppressed. As a result, when the French fleet sailed into Corfu they were welcomed as liberators.
During the Venetian period, Corfu suffered repeated but ultimately unsuccessful attacks by Genoese pirates and Turks, who razed villages and devastated the countryside. The resulting decline in the population forced the Venetians, who needed a labour force to exploit the resources of the island, to encourage immigration from the mainland.
Four centuries of Venetian rule were to determine the character of the island.
In the beginning: Corfu was not always an island
The Corinthians: A powerful Corfu is creating
The Athenians: They base their power on Corfiots
The Romans: Corfu becomes the first resort
The Byzantines: Βuilding the modern identity of Corfu
The Angevins: The puzzle is complete
The French: Corfu finds Ionian identity
The British Influence: Cricket and beer
The Unification: So, here we are