One of the most famous villages in Corfu is Gastouri because it is here that the Achillion Palace is
located. Built in 1890 for The Empress of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sisi, it is one of
the most visited places on Corfu. After Elisabeth’s death, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II bought it as a
summer residence. Purists will say that the Palace is filled with modern replica statues - commissioned
by Sisi in her fascination for Greek Culture - and that the architecture of the building is a poor attempt
to imitate the great temples of the empire. Personally, I love it. The Palace is over 120 years old after all
and the statues are now well weathered. The gardens are well tendered and lead to the magnificent 7
metre high bronze statue of Achilles. Inside on the staircase there is a huge painting of Achilles riding
around Troy after defeating Hector in the Trojan War. The views from here overlook Kanoni and Corfu
Airport to the east and you can watch the aeroplanes coming in to land.
The village is built on two levels: a lower part where there is a “well” given to the people by Sisi and
an upper part, where the Palace lies. 10km south of Corfu Town, close the resort of Benitses, the
way up from the coast road is full of S bends, but when you reach the village you are greeted with
some spectacular old mansions and pretty coloured houses. The village festival (panigiri) is held on
the 23rd August in the square (platea) which is behind the road, is transformed by the 950 residents
who turn out for the celebrations. The Churches here are Aghios Markianos and Aghios Nicolaos and
like so many villages on Corfu well worth a visit as they imposing from the outside and extremely
impressive on the inside.
The lower part of the village has a famous Bakery where the bread is traditionally baked in an old stone
oven. People travel long distances to get their daily bread here because of the Bakers reputation. All this information was kindly supplied from the books written by Steve Ford and the money raised from sales of these goes to Corfu Charities. Please use the link below to download your own copy and find more information on all the villages listed and more from Steve
located. Built in 1890 for The Empress of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sisi, it is one of
the most visited places on Corfu. After Elisabeth’s death, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II bought it as a
summer residence. Purists will say that the Palace is filled with modern replica statues - commissioned
by Sisi in her fascination for Greek Culture - and that the architecture of the building is a poor attempt
to imitate the great temples of the empire. Personally, I love it. The Palace is over 120 years old after all
and the statues are now well weathered. The gardens are well tendered and lead to the magnificent 7
metre high bronze statue of Achilles. Inside on the staircase there is a huge painting of Achilles riding
around Troy after defeating Hector in the Trojan War. The views from here overlook Kanoni and Corfu
Airport to the east and you can watch the aeroplanes coming in to land.
The village is built on two levels: a lower part where there is a “well” given to the people by Sisi and
an upper part, where the Palace lies. 10km south of Corfu Town, close the resort of Benitses, the
way up from the coast road is full of S bends, but when you reach the village you are greeted with
some spectacular old mansions and pretty coloured houses. The village festival (panigiri) is held on
the 23rd August in the square (platea) which is behind the road, is transformed by the 950 residents
who turn out for the celebrations. The Churches here are Aghios Markianos and Aghios Nicolaos and
like so many villages on Corfu well worth a visit as they imposing from the outside and extremely
impressive on the inside.
The lower part of the village has a famous Bakery where the bread is traditionally baked in an old stone
oven. People travel long distances to get their daily bread here because of the Bakers reputation. All this information was kindly supplied from the books written by Steve Ford and the money raised from sales of these goes to Corfu Charities. Please use the link below to download your own copy and find more information on all the villages listed and more from Steve
Websitehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=steve+ford+corfu+villages&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Location:EO Kerkiras Achiliou, Gastouri 490 84, Greece