Achilleion Palace was built for Empress Elisabeth (commonly known as "Sisi") in 1890.  It was a refuge for Sisi after the death of her only son, Rudolf.  It is located near the city of Corfu on the island of Corfu.  

Who Was Sisi?

In the past seventy or so years, Sisi has become somewhat of a popular character.  A series of movies were made about her in the 1950's.  She has been compared in recent years to Princess Diana.  They had much in common: both were beautiful and fashionable; both had trouble adjusting to palace life and rules; both were younger sisters of women who were either dating a prince or engaged to one; both were loved by "the common people", and both died relatively young in tragic circumstances. Sisi was assassinated in Geneva in 1898 when an anarchist was looking for another noble. When he couldn't find the guy, he killed the first blue blood he ran into, Sisi.

Sisi was the wife of the long time Emperor Franz Josef of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. Franz Josef and Sisi were first cousins.  Their mothers were sisters.  Sisi was very young when they married; had trouble with his mother, a very domineering woman who raised Franz Josef and Sisi's children; was obsessed with her beauty routine and keeping a very slim figure (weighing under 110 pounds when she was 5'8 inches); and wanted to travel and see the world and be anywhere but in Vienna with the dutiful Franz Josef who lived a relatively spartan lifestyle.  

Sisi was no lightweight intellectually.  She learned several languages and wrote poetry.  She admired Greek history and art.  She spent much of her time in Hungary and was loved by the Hungarian subjects. Loving mythology, Sisi fashioned her summer home in Corfu with Greek mythology.  Achilles was one of her heroes.  Therefore, she named her estate after him.  He is well represented on the grounds.

The Gardens

A very large Achilles dominates one level of the gardens.  He was commissioned by Kaiser Wilhelm who purchased the estate from Sisi's daughter, Gisela, in 1907. At one time, there was an inscription on the base of the statue: "To the greatest Greek of all times from the greatest German." 

This statue is known as "Dying Achilles."  Story is that he is trying to dislodge the spear that hit him in what is now known as "the Achilles tendon."

This statue of Lord Byron sits in a quiet spot in a lower garden.

Dionysus with Satyros on his shoulders in the Gardens of the Achilleion Palace.  Some of the nine Muses can be seen in the background.

Beautiful courtyard on the upper level of the garden. 

By the entrance to the home stands this statue of Sisi.  It took several tries to get a photo of her without a masked tourist in the picture. 

A view toward the city of Corfu.

A view to the ocean.  Sisi had her own beach.  When Kaiser Wilhelm II owned the property, he had a bridge built to his private dock. 

Interior 

Majestic entrance to Achilleion Palace.  Only a few rooms downstairs are open to tourists.

The ceiling fresco, "Four Seasons," by Franz von Matsch, at the entrance to Achilleion. 

On the first floor is a private chapel.  The Habsburgs maintained a close connection to their Catholic faith. 

Sisi is shown here as a very young Empress. Look at that tiny waist.  It was reported to be about 17 inches and only went to 21 inches after having given birth to several children. She dieted and exercised obsessively and is thought to have been anorexic. 

Franz Josef was ever the military man. He exhibited a strong duty to his empire.  He ruled for sixty eight years at the end of the Habsburg Empire. 

Just some baubles for Sisi's summer use?

A summer frock for enjoying Corfu.  It is said that she had a whole wardrobe for her summer life. 

Sisi's bed at Achilleion.  Nice but not very fancy.

If I could insert myself into Sisi's Achilleion life, I would have spent a lot of time having coffee in this sunny nook with a huge Greek statue within arm length. 

A Strong Pull To Vienna

Perhaps our third try to get to Vienna to see Sisi's Hofburg and Schoenbrunn Palaces will materialize soon.  Two of our attempts to be on Vikings' Danube Cruise have fallen victim to COVID 19.  Next April, we will try again. The Sisi Museum in the Hofsburg Palace is a much anticipated stop. 

Sisi In Modern Culture

SIsi may have died in 1898 but her story is stronger than ever.  In the 1950's, movies, featuring Romy Schneider, were made about Sisi's life.  A television series about Sisi's life was made in 2009 and 2021.  A cartoon series (2015) introduced children to Sisi.  Several excellent books about Sisi are available. 

The Achilleion Palace was used in the James Bond movie, "For Your Eyes Only," for the casino scenes.  The upper floors of the palace had been turned into a casino a few years earlier.  It is now a museum. 

Next Blog:  Akrotiri Ruins--Greece's "Pompei"

Written by Team Johnson (Bonnie Nelson Johnson and Adolph W. Johnson, JR (aka A.D.).  All photos were taken by us.  It had rained the morning we arrived at Achilleion.  The marble steps and various stones were very slippery.  While we tried to enjoy the ambience and absorb the history, it was dampened somewhat by safety concerns.  We HIGHLY recommend a visit to this beautiful and historic place. 

References:

"Achilleion Palace in Corfu," https://atcorfu.com/corfu-achilleion-palace. Obtained 14 Sep 2021. 

"The Achilleion in Corfu, Greece," https://corfu-greece.com/the-achilleion-in-corful-greece." Obtained 14 Sep 2021.