Achilleio: Myth and History Near the Achilleion

If you’re looking for a hotel in Achilleio, the nearby Achilleion Palace offers a cultural and historical focus. On Corfu, the Old Town, museums, hiking trails and landscapes add to the experience. This can help you decide whether your trip is primarily about the palace’s history or a broader interest in culture and nature.

The Achilleion Palace and depictions of Achilles

Near Achilleio, you’ll encounter two different depictions of the mythical Achilles. The statue “Dying Achilles” shows the hero dying as he tries to pull the spear from his ankle. “Victorious Achilles” is the largest statue of Achilles and captures him at the moment of victory. Together, the works depict two contrasting moments: injury and triumph.

The history of the Achilleion Palace is also connected to a well-known figure: it was built between 1889 and 1892 as a retreat for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi. German Emperor Wilhelm bought it in 1907. The building is designed in the style of a Pompeian house; inside are frescoes depicting episodes from the life of the mythical hero Achilles. The architecture, frescoes and statues each highlight a different aspect of the palace and the theme of Achilles.

Corfu: Old Town and a wealth of museums

On Corfu, the Old Town has preserved almost all of its historic urban fabric. Its buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries; the Old Town and its two fortresses are UNESCO World Heritage sites. These features offer different perspectives on the city: its preserved urban fabric and its buildings, which took shape over several centuries.

In Corfu’s Old Town, the Museum of Asian Art houses more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. From Corfu Port, you can reach the museum on bus line 2, on the Mantouki–Kanoni route; check the timetable before travelling. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu displays the Gorgon Medusa pediment from the great Temple of Artemis. It was created in 585 BC and excavated in 1911 near the Monastery of Aghioi Theodoroi.

Other museums on Corfu explore different historical themes. In the Old Town, Casa Parlante recreates the daily life of the island’s nobility in the 19th century with moving figures and recreated furnishings and decor. Through important artefacts and documents, the permanent exhibition at the Kapodistrias Museum presents the history of Corfu, Europe and Greece through the life of Greece’s first governor. The museums take different approaches: one focuses on the domestic life of the nobility, while the other explores political history and the history of a wider region.

Hiking trails, landscapes and events on Corfu

Corfu also has a number of marked hiking trails. In the Achilleion municipal unit, ancient paths cross the wooded mountains of Agii Deka, Stavros and Garouna and are suitable for hiking. The 180-kilometre Corfu Trail passes through several settlements; Benitses is one of its 13 daily stages. These routes and the trail offer different reference points for planning, without assuming a walking time for the mountain paths.

You can enjoy other landscapes at various locations on Corfu: Mon Repos is set in a 258-acre park with numerous exotic plants that have grown there over a long period. Near the Kapodistrias Museum, a lush garden on a hill offers views of Corfu’s landscape and across the island. The villages in the Achilleion municipal unit also host numerous festivals and folk celebrations, as well as cultural events organised by the municipality. Programmes vary, so if a festival is important to your trip, check the event dates.

Discover more destinations: Alepou, Kalami, Rantatika, Arillas Magouladon, Velianitatika, Lakones, Sidari, Glyfada

For the main travel overview: Corfu.