This palace, that was a villa in the past, belonged to the Empress of Austria, Elizabeth (known as Sissi). Elizabeth visited that villa in 1888 and she decided to purchase it. In 1890, renovation projects undertaken by the architect Raffaele Caritto were completed, incorporating elements and the style of Pompeian architecture.
The major theme of both the interior and exterior of the palace is Achilles, the Trojan War hero and a famous figure from Greek mythology. Highlights also include: the wonderfully-landscaped gardens, featuring statues of Achilles.
After the death of Elizabeth, Achilleion Palace was purchased by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and finally after the World War II the palace was declared a Public Building of the Greek State. Now a landmark of Corfu and a museum, the palace is being visited by tourists, especially during the summer months.
