As you enter the grounds of the Achilleion Palace, you can’t help but be struck by the imposing building and the stunning garden, complete with several statues.
Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine the view that greeted Empress Elisabeth of Austria, fondly known as Sissy, when she first visited this place in the summer of 1861.
Perched on the slope of a verdant hill, the estate around the Achilleion offers a sense of tranquility that is rare, even in the busy summer months when it is thronged by visitors.
Seeking solace from her depression, Sissy purchased the property from scholar and politician Petros Vrailas-Armenis in 1889.
And built a villa that reflected her love for ancient Greek culture.
Devoted to Achilles
With its pillars, balconies, gables, statues, and frescoes, the Pompeian mansion was designed by Italian architects Raphael Caritto and Antonio Landi.
And decorated with masterpieces either ordered or brought from the Borghese villa in Rome.
Until her tragic assassination in Vienna in 1898 by an Italian anarchist, the Greek-loving empress spent several summers here.
Learning Greek and reading Goethe, Shakespeare, and Homer.
Devoted to Achilles, the hero who embodied the Greek soul and the beauty of the locals, the Achilleion Palace boasts an impressive roof fresco by the Italian painter Galoppi.
The Interiors
Symbolically depicting the Four Seasons and the Horae, the fresco is a masterpiece that sets the tone for the grandeur that awaits inside.
Stepping into the palace, your eyes are drawn to a majestic marble staircase with statues of Zeus and Hera at the bottom.
It leads to the first floor, which is not currently open to visitors.
However, the ground floor is replete with treasures.
Such as the fireplace of black Italian marble, adorned with small statues of Athena and Hebe. The gilded clock. The portrait of Elisabeth. And the “chapel” with the icon of the Virgin Mary, where the empress used to pray.
All these are just a few of the highlights of the main hall.
On the ground floor, there is a room dedicated to the next owner of the Achilleion.
Kaiser William II of Germany bought it in 1908 and spent his holidays here until 1914.
In the Kaiser’s room, you can still see his office, his saddle-shaped chair, and the porcelain fireplace, as well as several documents, medals, portraits, and photographs.
As you wander through the palace, gods and heroes seem to accompany you at every turn.
The Gardens
Outside, a small staircase with marble statues of Apollo, Hermes, Artemis, and Aphrodite leads to the Muses’ Peristyle on the first floor.
Muses’ Peristyle
A set of Ionic pillars painted in bright colors creates a small arch.
And at the end of the peristyle, you’ll find a crowd gathered around a glass window.
Trying to catch a glimpse of the famous oil painting by Austrian artist Frantz Mats, “Achilles’ Triumph” or “Triumphant Achilles.”
This massive painting, measuring 4 x 10 meters, dominates an entire wall and is considered the most artistically important piece in the Achilleion Palace.
“Dying Achilles” and “Victorious Achilles”
As you make your way down the stairs from the Muses’ Peristyle, you’ll encounter two of the most famous statues of the palace.
Both are representations of Achilles.
The lyrical marble “Dying Achilles” by Ernst Gustav Herter was Sissy’s favorite statue. It is still the emblem of the Achilleion.
While the bronze “Victorious Achilles” by Goetz was installed by Wilhelm II.
Take a moment to decide which statue you prefer and then head to the edge of the garden.
This is where romantic couples often take photos with the picturesque Pontikonissi in the background.
Walking through the palace and its grounds, you can feel the history and grandeur of a bygone era.
History
The Achilleion Palace has witnessed the triumphs and tragedies of its royal owners.
Its walls hold the secrets of their lives.
From Sissy’s love for ancient Greek culture to Wilhelm II’s fascination with military power…
The palace reflects the interests and passions of its former residents.
But the Achilleion is more than just a monument to the past.
It is a living museum, where visitors can experience the beauty and serenity that inspired Sissy and her successors.
The gardens are a feast for the senses, with fragrant flowers and towering trees that provide shade and shelter.
The views of the surrounding landscape are breathtaking, and it’s easy to see why Sissy found solace here.
As you explore the palace and its surroundings, take a moment to imagine what life was like for its former inhabitants.
Picture Sissy walking through the gardens, lost in thought, or Wilhelm II holding court in his office.
The Achilleion Palace is a window into a fascinating world. And a testament to the enduring allure of Corfu and its culture.
Greece Island Hopping: Corfu, Paxoi, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos