Team has arrived in Corfu to fix the Old Fortress ΄cross΄

The team comprises colleagues of Vlassis Koumousis from the Structural Engineering Department of the Civil Engineering Faculty. They are in Corfu to assess the structural problems of the old signal station so that it can take the weight of the lighting which is an iconic and traditional part of the popular Corfu Easter. 

Thanks to the tremendous help from lighting specialist Andreas Trifonas (EPTA Arts Centre) the cross was lit up for Easter this year but in 2018 there remained darkness - to the displeasure of locals and visitors alike.

According to a past feature in Enimerosi, researched and written by Giorgos Zoumpous, the 'Cross' used to be a coastal signal station from which signals with instructions were transmitted to shipping along with meteorological information or information to be passed on. They used the International Code of Signals established in 1840.

Based on the fact that from 1857 Corfu had a telegraph connection with Malta via an underwater cable, it is believed that telegraphs were also sent to shipping.

Wireless era

When the use of wireless telegraphs began the use of the 'Cross' was probably limited to using signals to announce the appearance of an incoming vessel and its position.

In 1932 there were 5 such signal stations operating in Greece:
- Pireaus
- Corfu
- Argostoli
- Zakynthos
- Kea