The Achilleion, Sissi the Empress in Corfu

Even during her lifetime, Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary was a popular figure in Europe, due to her rebellious attitude towards the customs of the Austrian monarchy at the end of the 19th century. A romantic figure who suffered from depressive syndromes, she also met a tragic end: the myth of Sissi the Empress lives on to this day.

To see for yourself, all you have to do is visit the Achilleion in Corfu. A far cry from her native Bavaria! At the age of 24, Sissi fell in love with this Greek island with its sumptuous landscapes, where she felt more at home than in Vienna. So she decided to build a palace there, a grand Italian villa with a total of 128 rooms in the Pompeian (even pompous) style, as comfortable as could be and with a superb view.

Completed in 1891, Sissi took charge of the palace's interior decoration. As its name suggests, the palace is dedicated to Achilles, the hero of Greek mythology (cf. Achilles' Heel), to whom the Empress devoted a veritable cult: his statue was added to the other sculptures inspired by classical Greece that adorn the premises.

The Achilleion was a popular holiday destination for Sissi until her tragic assassination in Geneva in 1898 by the Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni. Kaiser Wilhelm took over the palace, adding his own personal touch. The first half of the twentieth century and its wars saw the Achilleion change hands and uses, before being transformed into a casino in 1962!

30 years later, the Achilleion returned to a more noble function, hosting major international meetings, before becoming the museum it is today.

In season, many visitors pass through the halls of the Achilleion every day, one of the great attractions around Kerkyra, the capital. Groups are not forgotten either. Be warned: it's best to arrive early, if possible at the opening, for a peaceful visit.

The discovery of the Achilleion is divided into two parts. The shapes of the palace itself will appeal more or less to all tastes. Inside, you can wander from room to room (not all of them are open to visitors, there are just too many of them!), in the course of an exhibition devoted in particular to the life of Sissi, through objects, furniture and works chosen by the Empress to decorate her palace. There is also talk of Kaiser Wilhelm, but he is not as popular with the public!

The second part of the tour takes place on the garden side. This is something of a showstopper. From its heights, this perfectly manicured 80-hectare park, lush and shady, is dotted with statues, including the enormous statue of Achilles at its centre. From the parapet, there is a superb view of Corfu and the mainland: the capital Kerkyra, the small island of Pondikonissi, Mount Pantokrator, the coast of Epirus in Greece... a must-see photo!