The Achilleion Palace is the former summer residence of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sissi, in the village of Gastouri, about 10 kilometers south of Corfu Town. The historic palace, which nowadays functions as a museum, is regarded as one of the most important heritage sites in Corfu and one of the most famous royal mansions in Europe.
- UPDATE: The Achilleion Palace is currently closed for renovations, but the gardens are open to visitors.
History Of The Achilleion Palace
After visiting Mon Repos in 1888, the Austrian Empress Elisabeth, the wife of Emperor Franz Jozef who is also known as Sissi, fell in love with Corfu and decided to build her own palace on the island. After visiting Villa Vraila, which belonged to the Corfiote philosopher and diplomat Petros Brailas-Armenis, she decided that this estate was the perfect location for her dream mansion.
The Achilleion Palace was designed by the Italian architect Raffaele Caritto who, at the request of the empress, intended to resemble the style of an ancient Phaeacian palace. The design also incorporates platonic romanticism and escapism styles and is surrounded by statues of Greek mythological figures, which are the work of the German sculptor Ernst Herter.
The empress named the palace after the Greek mythological hero Achilles and mentioned: “I want a palace with pillared colonnades and hanging gardens, protected from prying glances – a palace worthy of Achilles, who despised all mortals and did not fear even the gods.” Empress Elisabeth is thought to have chosen the dedication to Achilles in honor of her lost son, who killed himself after falling in love with his half-sister. Like Achilles, he was vulnerable in his own achilles heel, because of his forbidden love.
Elisabeth only used the palace as a private residence and retreated there several times until the spring of 1896, when she lost her interest and even considered selling it. Her husband Franz Joseph didn’t like sea voyages and never visited the palace.
After Elisabeth was assasinated by the Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni in 1898, the empress’s daughter Archuchess Gisela inherited the Achilleion Palace but rarely used it. In 1907, the German Emperor Wilhelm II purchased it as a summer residence and also used it to host diplomatic meetings.
During World War I, the Achilleion Palace was used as a military hospital by the French and Serbian troops. Following the Treaty of Versaille in the aftermath of the war, the German-owned property was handed over to the Greek state as part of the war reparations.
Between 1921 and 1924, the palace functioned as an orphanage for Armenian refugees from Constantinople. After that, it had various governmental functions until the Axis power turned it into a military headquarters during World War II.
Between 1962 and 1983, a casino functioned at the upper level of the palace, while the lower level was used as a museum. In this period the Achilleion Palace and its casino were also used as a filming location for the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.
The building has since been used for political meetings on various occasions, including for the European Summit in 1994 and a meeting of the European ministers of agriculture in 2003. The palace also featured in Tony Harrison’s film-poem The Gaze Of The Gorgon from 1992.
What To See At The Achilleion Palace
The Achilleion Palace is absolutely worth visiting for its architecture, rich decorations, and historic significance, but also for its beautiful gardens and numerous statues.
Inside the palace you can admire the grand halls with their beautiful decorations and various pieces of art, including historic paintings and sculptures. The building also houses an exhibition about the German Emperor “Kaiser” Wilhelm II, which includes artifacts and other objects of his personal collection like costumes and furniture.
In the palace gardens you can find several more sculptures, including a gallery of statues under the colonnade of the palace, the so-called Peristyle of the Muses. Other sculptures include a statue of Empress Elisabeth, a statue of Achilles called Dying Achilles created by the German sculptor Ernst Herter in 1884, and another large statue of Achilles standing as a guardian of the palace by the sculptor Johannes Görz, which was commissioned by Wilhelm II. From the location of the latter statue you have a magnificent view over the surroundings, including Corfu Town.
Visiting The Achilleion Palace
At the moment of writing, the Achilleion Palace and its museum are closed while an extensive renovation project is being carried out. Due to delays, the renovations have been going on for several years and no official statement has yet been made in relation to an expected reopening date.
Meanwhile, you can still visit the estate and enjoy a walk through the gardens while admiring the many statues and the exterior of the palace. The entrance fee for the gardens is €5 per person.
How To Get To The Achilleion Palace
The Achilleion Palace is located in the village of Gastouri, about 10 kilometers south of Corfu Town and can be reached by car, bus, or with a tour.
If you go there by car, for example by renting a car at the airport, you can park for free at the nearby parking lot. Simply follow the signs and you can’t miss it. A long staircase leads from the parking to the palace entrance.
To get to Achilleion Palace by bus, you can take Corfu City Bus line 10, which departs from Mitropolitou Methodiou Street (near Saroko Square) in Corfu Town and stops in right in front of the entrance of the Achilleion Palace.
