The Annunziata is a lone stone bell tower standing in the streets of Corfu's old town, all that remains of a Catholic monastery church founded in the late 14th century. It is best known as a burial place of Corfiots who died at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, and since a long restoration ended in 2025 it can be seen again without scaffolding.
The Annunziata at a glance
- Where: in the old town of Corfu, at the junction of Evgeniou Voulgareos and Vrachlioti streets, a short walk from the Liston.
- Built: the monastery was consecrated in 1394 and rebuilt in 1542 after damage in the Ottoman siege of 1537.
- What it is today: a free-standing bell tower and a fragment of the church wall, a protected monument you view from the street.
- Time needed: 5 to 10 minutes, as a stop on a walk through the old town.
From Augustinian monastery to ruin
The church of the Santissima Annunziata (the Annunciation, Evangelistria in Greek) belonged to a monastery of the Augustinian order, founded while Corfu was ruled by the Angevins of Naples. A Neapolitan nobleman and seafarer, Pietro Capezze, gave the land and paid for most of the building, and from 1406 the complex came under the protection of the Venetian governor. It was heavily damaged in 1537, when the Ottomans besieged Corfu, and rebuilt in 1542. After the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, Corfiots who had fallen in the battle were buried here, alongside Venetian officials of the island.
In the 18th century the monastery became a Catholic seminary. It suffered again under the French in 1797, but the real end came on 14 September 1943, when German bombing set the whole complex on fire. The ruins stood for another decade until, in 1953, the municipality demolished everything except the bell tower and the north-eastern end of the church. The tower was restored by the Ephorate of Antiquities in a project lasting about five years, and the protective covering finally came off in April 2025.
What to look for
- The bell tower itself, a slim Venetian-era tower that rises above the low buildings around it.
- The surviving piece of the church wall at its base, the only trace of what was once a three-aisled basilica.
- Painted decoration uncovered during the restoration, including allegorical images of Corfu with the island's emblem.
- The contrast with the Orthodox bell towers of the old town, such as St Spyridon's: the Annunziata is a reminder of Corfu's Catholic community under Venice.
A memorial to Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto, fought in October 1571 off western Greece, set the fleets of the Holy League, led by Venice and Spain, against the Ottoman navy. Corfu, a Venetian base, sent ships and men. The remains of Corfiots who fell in the battle were laid to rest at the Annunziata, which is why the tower is often described as the island's memorial to Lepanto. The rest of the monastery's painted decoration that was saved is kept in the Old Fortress.
Tips for your visit
- The tower is a monument to view from outside; there is no interior visit.
- Look at it from a little distance along the street: up close, the narrow lanes make it hard to see the top.
- Late afternoon light suits the warm stone of the tower.
- Combine it with the Liston, Spianada Square and St Spyridon's Church, all within a short walk.
Nearby
- The Liston: the arcaded promenade on the edge of Spianada, built under French rule and lined with cafés.
- Spianada Square: the large open square between the old town and the Old Fortress, where cricket is still played.
- St Spyridon's Church: Corfu's most important Orthodox church, with the relics of the island's patron saint and the tallest bell tower in the Ionian Islands.
- Old Fortress: the Venetian citadel on its rocky headland, where the saved decoration of the Annunziata is kept.
See Corfu with World City Trail
Our Corfu scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around two hours, with about 26 minutes of walking, and it includes places such as Spianada Square and the Liston arcades. You can play in English, German, French, Italian, Dutch or Greek.
If you prefer a different format, Corfu also has a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game.
Play the Corfu scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Corfu →
Play the outdoor escape game in Corfu →
Facts checked in October 2026.