Disposizioni e ordini per il funzionamento del Consiglio della Città di Corfù

Abstract

The paper examines the administrative regulations of the Council of the City of Corfu during Venetian rule, emphasizing their institutional, social, and political significance. The codification of these rules, inspired by Venetian legal practices, serves as a vital resource for understanding the Council’s membership, social stratification, and the evolution of Corfiot society within a multiethnic and geopolitical framework. Integrated peacefully into the Venetian state in 1386, Corfu adopted an administrative model that would later influence other Venetian territories. Over time, the Council transitioned from a communal institution to a closed, noble body, mirroring the power dynamics and internal conflicts characteristic of the Ancien Régime. An analysis of the Ordini reveals terminological ambiguities and a continuous process of institutional prestige-building. This study highlights the Council’s pivotal role in navigating the transition from Venetian dominance to the formation of the modern state, offering unique insights into its political and cultural legacy.