Achilleio is undoubtedly one of the most famous royal mansions in Europe, attracting locals and visitors from all over the world.
It was built in 1890 by Empress Elisabeth of Austria (also known as Empress Sisi) and it was designed by the Italian architects Karitto Raffaele and Antonio Lannti. Such a mansion would help the empress to recover at a time when her health had worsened considerably.
The villa was dedicated to Achilles, thus giving the palace its name. It has lush gardens with bougainvillea vines in bright colors and towering palm trees. The experienced traveler won’t find it difficult to locate the statues representing figures like the “Dying Achilles”, an impressive bronze statue of the German sculptor Ernst Cherter.
At a height of 11 meters, it shows Achilles trying to pull Paris’s arrow out of his heel. Elisabeth of Austria bought this statue after the tragic suicide of her second son, the Archduke Rudolph, in Mayerling. The second Achilles figure was ordered by Kaiser Wilhelm II. He placed the inscription “To the greatest of the Greeks from the greatest of the Germans.”The palace is located only 9 kilometers east of Corfu Town on a verdant hill. It’s a Pompeian-style mansion that was built between 1889 and 1892. A basic feature is the multitude of statues depicting figures of the Greek history and mythology, as well as heroes of Homer’s epics.
Location
Among the impressive statues it features are those of the Olympian gods and the Nine Muses. The bronze statue of Zeus and Hera adorn the entrance of the Achilleio. Among the first things that will amaze you is the portrait of Empress Sisi next to the luxurious fireplace. With a look up to the fresco of the roof you can see an allegorical portrayal of the “Four Seasons”.
Also, look out for the Catholic Chapel of Elisabeth. Rare archives, historical documents, family photographs, rare books and souvenirs revive the past of the mansion. In particular, 33 photos of the German Emperor William II and his family members stand out. Among the photographic documents, you can also find one depicting the arrest of the killer of Elisabeth.
The Museum
The museum has typed notes on the organization of the household. Don’t miss the rare books from Elisabeth’s collection and the medals from various events of the time. Additional sculptures include 17 copies of ancient works, reflecting Elisabeth’s love for the ancient Greek civilization. Among these, try to locate the “Resting Hermes,” from the second half of the 19th century. Also don’t forget to spot the bronze replicas of the two “Palaistes- Runners” from the Archaeological Museum of Naples.
It’s worth noting that Kaiser William II has bought the palace in 1907. He significantly changed the internal layout, while the building underwent major damages during the the World Wars. After its restoration, the palace opened as a museum in 1994.
It was buit by Empress of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sisi in 1890. 
