Monument to Admiral Ushakov

The Russians, among other peoples, left their mark on the history of the Greek state. One of our famous compatriots, who is treated with great respect in Greece, is Admiral Fedorovich Ushakov. His squadron liberated the island of Corfu, or as it is also called, Kerkyra from French domination in 1799. Ushakov restored the Orthodox episcopate here after almost five centuries of absence of the Orthodox Church in Corfu. He also contributed to the creation of the first Greek state on the Ionian Islands after the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

In 2002, a monument to the Russian admiral was opened in Corfu near the New Fortress in the city center. The monument of marble and bronze is laconic and strict. The stone contains a bronze portrait of the famous naval commander and gratitude from the Greek people. At the foot of the monument there is a sea anchor. The author of the bas-relief is sculptor Viktor Aydinov, whose life is connected with both Russia and Greece. Interestingly, the sculptor collected the monument himself, without entrusting the work to any of the workers. According to the author, the marble block is a symbol of Ushakov’s power, a capacious, deep and moral figure. The admiral did not lose a battle or a ship.

It is interesting to note that the year before the Orthodox Church listed Admiral Ushakov as a saint. Now Orthodox Christians call him the holy righteous warrior Theodore.