By Megakles Rogakos
The Achilleion (1889-1892) is one of the most famous royal villas in Europe and perhaps the most important attraction of Corfu. It is located in the settlement of Gastouri, about 10 km
south of the old town. The villa was built on the site of the
Brailas country villa by the Empress of Austria Elisabeth as her
summer palace in a classic design by the Italian architects
Raffaele Caritto and Antonio Landi. Out of her love for Homer,
she dedicated the mansion to Achilles, the protagonist of the
Odyssey. In due course she enriched the courtyard of the villa
with statues from ancient Greek mythology.