sitting in the most northwesterly corner of greece, corfu is an elegant and cosmopolitan island, wearing the mantle of its colourful venetian history with style.
‘somewhere between calabria and corfu the blue really begin s...you are aware of a change in the heart of things: aware of the horizon begin ning to stain at the rim of the world: aware of islands coming out of the darkness to meet you’. so begin s lawrence durrell’s 1945 ode to corfu, prospero’s cell. even today, visitors to the island often arrive by sea, approaching from italy in the west, of the greek mainland in the east. emerging in the early morning sunshine, the pastel-hued houses above corfu town’s old port are a jumble of slim tiers with narrow passages running between them, made brilliant with washing hung out to dry from every balcony like festive bunting. the tall venetian mansions display ancient coats of coloured paint, blurred by successive winters and giving visitors to the town the feeling of stepping into a watercolour painting.
the town is centred on a wide tree-lined esplanade called the spianada, whose french arcades echo the rue de rivoli. a drop of britishness is to be found on the noble sweep of this square, which is transformed into a cricket pitch throughout the summer - the world’s only working sports field within a unesco world heritage site.
meanwhile , the corfiot countryside boasts an elegiac greenery, unrivalled across greece and contrasting remarkably with the solemn barrenness of the aegean. bathed in brilliant white sunlight throughout the summer months, the winter rains ensure a sublime frondescence across the island, with the inland valleys thickly carpeted with wild flowers, studded with gnarled olive trees and dense groves of stiffly swaying cypresses. the sophisticated north-east is known as kensington-on- sea, and is the site of the rothschild family’s imposing summer villa. it is here that the luxury villa lifestyle comes into its own, with the hillsides sprinkled with secluded, high-end properties boasting private infinity pools and awe-inspiring sea views, with the snowcapped albanian-epirote mountains rising mysteriously in the east.
set within 100,000 sqm (1,076,391 sq.ft.) of historic gardens and ancient olive groves near corfu town, antico rosso is a restored estate of exceptional scale and heritage. originally constructed in the 17th century upon the ruins of a 13th-century monastery, the property reflects the architectural influence of the great corfiot estates of its era, with long colonnades, stone arcades, internal courtyards and deep terracotta façades softened by decades of mediterranean light.
a formal stone pathway leads through the grounds toward the principal residence, where symmetrical façades, arched galleries and shuttered windows create a sense of quiet grandeur. mature palms, cypress trees and extensive olive groves surround the estate, while enclosed courtyards and garden walls preserve privacy throughout the property. though immersed in complete seclusion, the estate remains only a short drive from corfu town, the marina, the airport and the island’s western coastline.
the restoration has focused on preserving the original architectural character while completing the essential structural and reconstruction works required for modern use. stone arches, vaulted passageways, internal cloisters and traditional masonry have been carefully retained, allowing the next owner to complete the interiors according to their own vision. the atmosphere throughout the estate remains authentic and restrained, with many original architectural details still visible across the buildings.
the main residence extends across one and two levels around a central courtyard and measures approximately 1,750 sqm (18,837 sq.ft.). large reception rooms, former service quarters and interconnected gallery spaces create substantial internal volume, while wide openings allow natural light to move through the building throughout the day. a 20-metre indoor swimming pool has already been integrated into the structure, positioned beneath high ceilings within one of the estate’s restored wings.
additional buildings include an old olive press, auxiliary residences and several outbuildings, bringing the total built area to approximately 2,500 sqm (26,910 sq.ft.). the scale of the estate allows flexibility for private residential use, hospitality, wellness or a multi-generational family retreat, while preserving the integrity of its historical layout.
the surrounding landscape forms an essential part of the property’s identity. stone pathways pass through olive groves and formal gardens, while shaded courtyards create cooler outdoor areas during the summer months. the estate’s positioning within mature vegetation naturally moderates temperature and reinforces the sense of privacy across the grounds.
