Casanova on the island of Corfu
“What is love? It is a madness where reason no longer has power.” — Giacomo Casanova.
You may know him as history’s most famous heartthrob, but did you know that some of his wildest adventures took place right here on the emerald island of Corfu? From narrow escapes in stolen boats to forbidden romances with noblewomen, the “Corfu chapter” of Casanova’s life is a thrilling journey through the 18th-century Ionian.
Giacomo Casanova was a man of many layers: a law student, a son of actors, and a brilliant intellectual who charmed the European nobility with his wit and eloquence. While he is remembered today as the ultimate lover, he was also a prolific writer.
In his famous memoirs, Histoire de ma vie (The Story of My Life), he dedicates an entire chapter of Book IV to his time on Corfu. It is a whirlwind of a narrative featuring a “pseudo-prince,” a dramatic escape to Kassiopi, and his legendary obsession with the beautiful Signora F.
The Young Officer’s First Escape
Casanova first stepped onto Corfu in the spring of 1741. He was only 16 years old, serving as a junior officer in the Venetian army. His first stint on the island ended in true cinematic fashion: at a party, he accused a man of being a “pseudo-prince” and a fraud.
The man turned out to be a former prefect, who promptly ordered Casanova’s arrest. Ever the opportunist, Giacomo stole a boat and sailed north to the charming village of Kassiopi.
Ever conscious of his image, he immediately hired a group of local tailors to craft him a new wardrobe—though his memoirs conveniently leave out how he paid for them! Eventually, authorities caught up with him, but he returned to Corfu Town a hero after his “pseudo-prince” was indeed exposed as a con artist.
The Forbidden Love of Signora F.
Casanova returned to Corfu in 1745, where he met the woman who would define his stay: Adriana Foscarini. Only 17 years old, she was the wife of a powerful Venetian judge. Their affair was the talk of the town and eventually landed Casanova in prison—though his charm ensured his stay was short.
A Gourmet’s Strange Obsession
Beyond the romance, Casanova’s memoirs give us a fascinating look at 18th-century Corfiot life. He was a true gourmet, praising local wines like the Corfu Skopelitiko and the exquisite Pantokrator Muscat.
However, his most unusual culinary request remains one for the history books: he reportedly commissioned a local confectioner to create bonbons made from strands of Adriana’s hair, flavored with amber and vanilla, which he kept in a crystal box as a memento of his “madness.”
The Legacy of a Free Spirit
Though he adored the island and its women, Casanova’s guiding principle remained: “I love women madly, but I always want to be free.” Today, you can still walk the same Venetian streets in Corfu Town and the harbor of Kassiopi where history’s most famous adventurer once plotted his next great escape.