Ioannis Kapodistrias

Ioannis Kapodistrias was born to a distinguished family in Corfu, the most populous Ionian Island, then under Venetian rule.

Kapodistrias' father was Antonios Maria Kapodistrias (Αντώνιος Μαρία Καποδίστριας), a nobleman, artist, and politician. One of his ancestors had been made a conte (count) by Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy. In 1679, the title was inscribed in the Libro d'Oro of Corfu nobility. The coat of arms, a cyan shield with a diagonal strip, containing three stars and a cross, is on display in Corfu. The family originated in the city of Capodistria, also called Koper, in Slovenia, then part of the Republic of Venice. There, the family name was named Vitori or Vittori. They moved to Corfu in the 13th century, where they changed their denomination from Catholic to Orthodox and became completely hellenized. Origins of his ancestors can also be found in 1423 in Constantinople (with Victor/Vittor – or Nikiforos – Capodistrias).

Kapodistrias' mother was Adamantine Gonemis (Αδαμαντία "Διαμαντίνα" Γονέμη; Diamantina Gonemi), a countess. Her father was the noble Christodoulos Gonemis (Χριστόδουλος Γονέμης). The Gonemis family were originally Greek Cypriots. When Cyprus fell to the Ottomans in the 16th century, they migrated to the island of Crete. When Crete fell in the 17th century, they migrated to Epirus, near Argyrokastro. Later, they settled on the Ionian island of Corfu. During the Ottoman sieges of Corfu, they fought alongside the Venetians, who awarded them a title of nobility. Like the Kapodistrias family, they are listed in the Libro d'Oro (Golden Book) of Corfu.

Kapodistrias, though born and raised as a nobleman, was throughout his life a liberal thinker and had democratic ideals. He studied medicine, philosophy, and law at the University of Padua in 1795–1797. In 1797, at 21 years old, he started his medical practice on his native island of Corfu. In 1799, when Corfu was briefly occupied by the forces of Russia and Turkey, Kapodistrias was appointed chief medical director of the military hospital. In 1802 he founded an important scientific and social progress organisation in Corfu, the "National Medical Association", of which he was an energetic member.

Some scholars have suggested that Kapodistrias had a romantic affair with Roxandra Sturdza, prior to her marriage with Count Albert Cajetan von Edling in 1816.

International network

On 24 February 2007, the cities of Aegina, Nafplion, Corfu, Koper-Capodistria, and Famagusta (one of the notable families of Famagusta was the Gonemis family, from whom Ioannis Capodistrias mother, Adamantine Gonemis, was descended) created the Ioannis Kapodistrias Network, a network of municipalities which are associated with the late governor. The network aims to promote the life and vision of Ioannis Kapodistrias across borders. The presidency of the network is currently held by the Greek municipality of Nafplion.