Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it....
Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it. Back to whistling at Trains.
Member since:15.07.2007
Reviews:109
Members who trust:10
We visited the Achelleion Palace on Thursday 22 May as part of the Island Tour we had booked thru our Rep. If staying in or near Corfu Town you can get there by Public Bus, check at Blue Bus Station in Corfu Town for times. The day we visited it was pouring of rain so do not have any photos of gardens, and the trip around the Garden was brief, but even with limited Visability the views must be stunning, a reason to return.
Entrance to the Palace and Grounds is 7 Euros.
The Palace was built between 1890-1893 in the Pompeian style by Italian Cardilo for Empress of Austria Elizabeth.
You enter the entrance hall to be faced with a fantastic Stair case, also a beautiful painted ceiling. The upper floors are private apartments so the Visit is of the Ground Floor only. These rooms contain Pictures of the Empress, but are early pictures only as the Empress was very concerned that age would not do her any favours.. Also she was probably one of the first Anarrexics as she tried to achieve a very narrow waist, the fashion of the time.
There are various Funtiture Items, often engraved with Dolphins, the Empresses favourite.
But even with the rain poring down, the star of this place must be the Gardens and the Statues in same, and the views over the surrounding countryside.
The palace is surrounded by Gardens, lovely natural terraces, man made ponds, fountains, and many statues.
One of these is the "DYING ACHILLES" plucking the Arrow from his heel. Also there is a small statue of BYRON, the Empresses's favourite poet.
In 1905 the Emperor of GermanyKaiserWilhelm II bought the palce from the decendants of Elizabeth, it was his idea to have the wonderful terrace overlooking the sea known as Bella Vista altered to its present form.
In the First World war the Allies used it as a convalescent home for recovering soldiers. After the War it became the property of the Greek State, later became a casino and night club. Thankfully it is now a Museme and well worth half a day of your time when visiting the Island.
If we could enjoy it so much on a Rain Sodden day think what it must be like on a clear sunny day with those views.
But if it does rain be very careful the marble floors become like ice rinks.
Pictures of Sissi's Palace (Achilleon), Corfu
Statue in same italian marble as Michael Angelo's David.
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
very helpful by (100%):
