Nestled in the heart of Corfu Island, Achilleion Palace stands tall and proud as a testament to a bygone era, where opulence and grandeur were at the forefront of architectural design. Built in the late 19th century by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi, the palace was designed as a retreat from the pressures of royalty and a tribute to her love for Greek culture.

Following years of restoration work, the Palace is set to reopen to the public, at least for its gardens and outdoor spaces.

During the restoration process, an extensive program of works was carried out to ensure the Palace meets modern safety standards while conserving its unique beauty.

One of the most significant changes is the renovation of the flooring in the Colonnade. In addition to this, much care has been taken to maintain the statues that grace the Palace grounds, ensuring they retain their original luster. However, the restoration team made some unexpected discoveries during the renovation process.

Over time, layers of paint had covered up a set of wall paintings that had gone undetected for many years. The first findings exceeded all expectations, revealing elaborate Neo-Pompeian style compositions with floral decoration and mythology-inspired themes.

These paintings were painted in brilliant color and carefully executed with attention to even the smallest details. The discovery marked a momentous achievement in the history of the palace.

The newly uncovered wall paintings within the Palace bring forth the historical and artistic significance of the Palace. Their intricate designs demonstrate a profound appreciation for the language of art and mythology. The sustained preservation of these artworks showcases the Palace’s value in archiving cultural significance, a testament to the Palace’s role in analyzing and promoting the archiving of history. The Palace is due to host an exhibition of these discoveries.

The exhibition will take visitors through the Palace’s ornate rooms, giving tourists an opportunity to experience the paintings in person and learn about the significance of their discovery. The exhibition also features a series of grand works of art from Baron’s work, a comprehensive collection that illustrates the Palace’s era of history and artistry.

In conclusion, the Achilleion Palace is a true marvel of history and artistry. The Palace’s restoration project demonstrates a valuable conservation initiative, preserving Greece’s cultural heritage for future generations. The upcoming exhibition at the Palace, featuring newly discovered wall paintings and works of art, will be a valuable opportunity for visitors to engage with and learn about some of the most important artworks and history of Greece.

We invite you to come and experience the Palace in all its grandeur, and we encourage you to support the palace in its mission to conserve the history of this magnificent Palace.

The Public Real Estate Company (ETAD) S.A. announces the operation of the Achilleion Museum for this summer season, specifically from 31 July to 31 October 2023, with opening hours from 08:00 to 20:00.

For this period of time, the external – open areas of the Museum will be available for public visit, in a route that will include the area of the Peristyle, the Palace and the Imperial Gardens.

In the context of the project for the protection and promotion of the historic Achilleion, which is being implemented by the EBRD with financial resources from the NSRF in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Region of the Ionian Islands, we inform you that the restoration work on the Baron’s building has been completed, in accordance with the timetable to which the EBRD had committed itself at the beginning of the year, while giving absolute priority to accelerating the work for the overall restoration of the Palace.

This year, visitors to the Museum will have the opportunity to admire the fully restored marble statues of the gardens and especially the “Achilles the Thrower”, which is the symbol of Achilles, with an additional unique experience, as they will be able to see after decades of restoration the murderous arrow on this monumental sculpture.

This will be the first time that the statue will be given to the public free from the ravages of time and the absence of the arrow.

At the same time, visitors will be able to browse among the other statues in the gardens, as well as in the lower gardens, where they will be able to admire the also restored statue of Lord Byron and the Anaclintro, which has recently been restored on the site.

The Achillion Museum remains a top cultural monument for the island of Corfu and its thousands of visitors, while this year it will host important cultural events, thus bringing multiple benefits to the local community and to all those involved in the tourism sector and the tourism industry of the island of the Phaeacians.