Achilleion Palace

Achilleion (Greek: Αχίλλειο) is one of the most famous palaces of Europe and perhaps the most architecturally significant attraction of the island of Corfu. The palace complex is located in the village of Gastouri, 10 kilometers from the city of Corfu.

The palace mansion was designed by the Italian architects Rafael Caritto and Antonio Landi in the then fashionable "Pompeian" style. The work was supervised first by the Austrian Consul in Corfu, Alexander Warssderg, and then, after his death, by Baron von Bucowitz.

The building was built between 1889 and 1891 entirely at the expense of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, known as Princess Sisi, who asked for a palace on Kerkyra due to her failing health.

Elisabeth first visited Kerkyra in the summer of 1861, as a guest of the English High Commissioner Sir Henry Stokes, who resided at the Mon Repo estate. Fascinated by the tranquility and beauty of the island, the empress returned here in 1889 in search of solace after a series of family tragedies had befallen her, buying herself the estate of the famous literary and political leader Petros Vrailas-Armenis.

Elizabeth of Austria, fascinated by ancient Greek mythology, dedicated her palace to the hero of ancient Greece - Achilles, hence the name of the palace - "Achillion", decorating the palace complex with statues of gods and heroes of Greek mythology.

In the palace garden Princess Sisi placed many wonderful busts of ancient Greek philosophers and rhetoricians, and in the palace itself she placed carved furniture reproducing images of mythological characters.

The interior of the palace mansion is known for wall paintings and magnificent decorations by famous artists of the era.

In 1898, during her stay in Geneva, Queen Elisabeth became the victim of a terrorist, the Italian Luigi Lucheni.

After her death, according to various sources, in 1904-1907 Achilleion was bought by the German Emperor and King of Prussia ,Wilhelm II, known as the third German Kaiser, where he lived during his frequent spring visits to Kerkyra.

After the Second World War the right to own the palace passed to the Greek State, so the palace stood empty for some time until in 1962, at the initiative of the Greek King Paul, it was decided to give it to a West German company as a casino - similar to the casino in Monaco, which meant a parallel economic development of Kerkyra.

Eventually, the casino remained in operation, despite some interruptions, until 1981. In 1984 it became operational again, but under the management of the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT).

When you enter the palace, the first thing that catches your eye is the ceiling painting by the Italian artist Gallopi, which symbolizes the Four Seasons and the goddesses of time and seasons - Ares, the three daughters of Zeus and Themis.

The black Italian marble fireplace is decorated with small statues of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Evie, a minor goddess, daughter of Zeus and Hera, the goddess of youth and cheerfulness. There is also a gilded clock. The small Catholic chapel, painted with magnificent murals, attracts attention, with an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the empress usually performed her prayers.

The next hall on the first floor belongs to its second owner, the Kaiser of Germany, who came to the Achilleion for holidays until the First World War (until 1914). The Kaiser's room is notable for its simplicity: here you can see the emperor's desk, a saddle-shaped chair and a porcelain stove, as well as a number of documents, medals, portraits and photographs.

At the back of the reception hall is a large marble staircase with bronze statues of Zeus and Hera standing on a pedestal, leading to the second floor, which, however, is not yet available to the public. Here were the apartments of Elisabeth, and at the top were the rooms of Emperor Franz Joseph and the imperial couple's daughter, Princess Maria Valeria.

In the courtyard, statues of ancient Greek gods and heroes stand along the small staircase leading to the Peristyle of the Muses (at the back of the palace, at first-floor level). The colonnade of the peristyle consists of Ionic-style columns, the lower part of which is brightly painted. On the edge of the peristyle, there are usually many visitors who try to see through the glass a painting by the famous Austrian artist Franz Matsch, The Triumph of Achilles, depicting Achilles carrying in his chariot the body of the defeated Hector (entry to this room of the palace is still forbidden). A huge canvas in oil paint, 4×10 meters in size, covers the entire wall. This painting by Franz Matsch is considered the most valuable work in the Achilleion collection.

Descending the stairs of the Peristyle des Muses, the visitor is by two famous statues of Achilles - one is Elisabeth's favorite statue by Ernst Gustave Herter (1884), The Dying Achilles, and the other is a brass statue of Achilles the Victor by Hetch, which was placed by Wilhelm II. The German Kaiser, as a highly educated man, deeply respected the culture of ancient Greece. Interestingly, on the huge statue of the ancient Greek hero he placed the inscription: "To the greatest Hellenes from the greatest German.