The Ionian Academy is a historic monument and landmark on the southern end of Spianada Square in the old part of Corfu Town. Nowadays, it is one of the buildings of the Ionian University.
The roots of the Ionian Academy date back to the French rule of Corfu, but in 1824, under British administration, the institution became a university at the initiative of Philhelene and Count Frederick North, Earl of Guilford. The university was the first academic institution established in modern Greece and is considered the precursor of the Ionian University.
After operating for 40 years, the Ionian Academy ceased to exist in 1864 when the Ionian Islands united with the rest of Greece. The library and several of the academic staff members moved to Athens to support the University of Athens. In 1984, 120 years after the closure of the Ionian Academy, Corfu got a new academic institution with the establishment of the Ionian University.
The historic building of the Ionian Academy on the corner of the streets Akadimias and Kapodistriou dates back to the Venetian times. The impressive L-shaped building was constructed in the 17th century to house the Grimani Barracks, but in 1840 the Ionian Academy moved into the building, which has been modified several times since its construction.
In 1943, the building was severely damaged by the World War II bombings but was restored and modernized afterward. Nowadays, it houses the Rector’s Office and other departments of the Ionian University.
