Liston

Liston, one of the most important sights of Corfu, is located on the western part of Spianada. It is a residential complex and its construction began during the French Empire (1807-1814). It was built by the French diplomat Matthieu de Lesseps (1771-1832). The Corfiot engineer and military officer, Ioannis Parmesan (1748-1826) drew up the plans and partly undertook construction supervision. The external features of Liston are slightly inspired by the Rue de Rivoli de Paris and the Napoleonic architecture of the period. At the same time, care was taken to maintain its uniformity and to be consistent with the prominent buildings of the previous Venetian historic town, such as the Kompitsi mansion and the building of San Giacomo theatre which today houses the Town Hall. In its original form, it is a two-storey building. It took many years to be completed and its construction took place in parts through various construction phases and following revision of its original drawings, postponements and successive decisions made by the various bodies that ruled the island. For example, a significant change in the original floor plan of the building took place during British Rule (1815-1863) when two additional floors were gradually added and the arches were extended. For a long time, the building operated as a luxury hotel. Today it hosts cafés and restaurants on the ground floor and houses and offices on the other floors. References: Στανέλλος Λ., «Το Λιστόν της Κέρκυρας», Κέρκυρα 2009.