Turkish invasions in Corfu The Turks tried many times to conquer Corfu. The most important invasion was during 25th of August to 11th of September in 1537, with no success. They caused terrible damage and they captured 7.000 Corfiots. The Turks pulled out when the Venetian and imperial forces were sent against them. On the 2nd of October 1540 the Venetians and the Turks signed a treaty of peace. In 31st of August 1571, the Turks broke the treaty and once again attacked Corfu. Eventually, they pulled out, after burning and pillaging the island. The second great Turkish siege took place in 1716. The Turks could not give up their will to rule the Ionian Islands. On the other hand, the economy of Venice was terrible. On February of 1716, Venice sent the Saxon officer Ioannis Matheas von Schulemburg to Corfu. In May, Pasha Janoum Hotza passed through Zante and after a stop in Kefalonia, causing massive damages, arrived in the southern peninsula of Corfu, ready to attack. Panic spread created by the rumor that the Venetians had abandoned the island. Schulemburg, with the aid of the experienced Corfiot officers, tried to organize the defenses. On 8th of July, the Turkish landing troops started getting through Corfu and besieged lots of villages. On 22nd of July the allied forces arrived in the island. On 5th of August, the Pasha asked the Corfiots to surrender. Schulemburg was negative and his decision to attack was a right one. The next day, a great storm broke out with terrible consequences for the Turkish fleet. The 10th of August, saw confusion in the Turkish camp, the next day on 11th of August, the Turks were falling back out of Corfu abounding all their weapons, animals and munitions. The people attributed this fact to the saving intervention of Saint Spyridon, who turned the fate of Corfu against the conquerors. In remembrance of the 11th of August, Corfu celebrates, with the honored procession of the Holy Relic of Saint Spyridon accompanied by all Philharmonic Orchestras of the island. | 
