The Achilleion Palace Museum located on Corfu, a famous island off Greece’s northwest coast in the Ionian Sea, defined by rugged mountains and a resort - studded shoreline, famous for its natural beauty and its UNESCO - listed Corfu Towns showcasing a unique blend of Venetian, British and Greek architecture, along with a rich cultural heritage, introduces a digital tour experience allowing visitors to explore its storied past through new digital installations that bring history and culture to life in the palace gardens.
Developed in collaboration with the Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage of the Culture Ministry, this initiative aims to position the Achilleion Palace not only as a historic landmark but also as a modern space for knowledge and cultural exchange, enhancing its appeal to both local and international visitors.
Located in the village of Gastouri located about 10 kilometres southwest of Corfu downtown, the Achilleion Palace was built in the late 19th centuryon plans by the Italian architects Raffaele Carito and Antonio Landi, as a hermitage, a place of quiet for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sissi, after a suggestion by the Austrian consul Alexander von Warsberg, and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, reigning from 1888 to 1918.
Corfu was the Austrain Empress’ favourite vacation destination and she wanted a palace to gratify her admiration for Greece, its language, history and culture.
The architectural Pompeian style was used to suggest an ancient palace of the mythical Phaeacia, also known as Scheria, a mythical island nation in Greek mythology, notably featured in the iconic Homer’s Odyssey described as an utopian island, a place of great beauty and abundance and motifs centres highlight the hero Achilles, from which the name of the palace is derived.
The Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD), which manages Greece’s real estate assets, has introduced upgraded facilities designed to enrich the visitor experience at the museum of the palace.
The project includes three interactive booths, a triangular screen and a polygonal structure featuring five high - quality video productions that guide visitors through the history of the palace, its construction, gardens and its reonowned designers.
The productions immerse visitors in different eras of the palace’s legacy, from the times of the Empress Elizabeth of Austria, to Kaiser Wilhelm II, who later transformed it into a symbol of power.
The installations also highlight the palace’s architecture, art, frescoes, furniture, and statues offering educational insights until restoration work is completed and the museum reopens.
The thematic documentaries feature well - known Greek actors including Nikos Kouris, Cora Karvouni, Aphrodite Doritis and Vicky Papadopoulos, adding depth to the storytelling.
This tour will definitely serve to open up a wider field of knowledge, thanks to information provided on the exhibits and to the architecture value of the palace itself, an authentic jewel shining on Corfu island.
Links
https://news.gtp.gr/2025/08/18/corfu-achilleion-museum-gardens-introduce-digital-tour-experience/
https://achillion-corfu.gr/virtual-tour/?lang=en
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Thanks a lot to read and note.