Achillion

Achillion is one of the most famous royal villas in Europe and perhaps the most important attraction of Corfu.

Elizabeth was assassinated in 1898. In 1904, according to others, in 1907, the German emperor William II (also known as "Kaiser") bought the Achilles, where he resided during his regular spring visits to Corfu. He was a very cultured man and a lover of ancient Greek culture. He placed a colossal statue of Achilles with the inscription "To the greatest of the Greeks from the greatest of the Germans".

After the First World War, the ownership of this villa passed to the Greek state and then it was deserted, until in 1962 it was decided to transfer it to a then West German company to operate as a casino, at the urging of King Paul in order to become equal to Monaco, with that this would mean for the parallel development of Corfu. Eventually the casino operated with a few breaks until 1981, when the then political upheavals forced it to close. Its reopening began, under the direction of EOT, in 1984.

It is in the rhythm of a Pompeii mansion. Inside it has frescoes and decorations of important artists of the time of its construction, while on the second floor there is an Ionic peristyle. Around the palace are lush green gardens, overlooking the north and south. The walls are full of brightly colored bougainvilleas and palm trees rise everywhere. The gardens are adorned with many statues, mainly of Achilles, the empress's favorite hero, from whom the palace took its name. The Mortal Achilles is a beautiful bronze statue, the work of the German sculptor Ernst Herter.

Perhaps Elizabeth of Austria was moved by this statue and bought it after the tragic suicide of her second son, Archduke Rodolfo, in Mayerling.

A second impressive statue of Achilles, 15m high, was commissioned by Kaiser William II.

Achilles can be visited at certain times of the day.