Achilleion – Kanoni Tour

The Achilleion palace is located upon a hill on the traditional Corfu village Gastouri.  A strange sense of awe overwhelms anyone that gazes over the imposing form of the Palace which dominates the area with its presence, residing between the cypress trees and other exotic plants and flowers which surround it.

The palace was built for the Empress Elisabeth to escape the tragedies of her life and William II purchased it after her untimely death.

Entering the palace you will be amazed by the beautiful gardens that surrounds the palace and the invaluable peace of arts like the  ancient Greek statues of Zeus and Era and other smaller statues and sculptures. The roof, the surrounded walls, even the Catholic chapter of Elisabeth inside the palace are referred as precious peace of Arts. Even the outer area of the palace is decorated with columns,  the ‘Peristyle of the Muses’, but the most valuable statue of Achilleion is the ‘Dying Achilles’ that represents Achilles dying trying to remove the spear from his ankle. It is the largest statue of Achilles, with unbelievable dimensions, which presents Achilles in a moment of victory. Next stop Kanoni.

Mon Repo park is a beautiful forest park inside of which is located the former summer residency of Queen of Greece, Konstantinos. The villa now, has become a museum open to all visitors. Further into the forest in Mon Repo’s Park there is a small  Doric temple probably dedicated to Poseidon and dating from around 500 BC. Following a the path that is now created the tour into Mon Repo will lead you  to the spring of Kardaki, by the sea. The spring with its water flowing from the mouth of a lion, is reputed to never dry up. According to the tradition, anyone who drinks from it is destined to return to Corfu. Next stop the old Fortress into the Old Corfu Town Center.

Last stop Saint Spyridon Church in the heart of Old Corfu Town. The church was built in 1596 to house the relics. According to the local people Saint Spyridon, know also as the Miracle-Worker, has brought them safely through many trials, frightening both cholera and the Turks away from his beloved worshipers. It is the main Church of Corfu and a tremendous monument.

So with the blessings of Saint Spyridon your mini  bus tour comes to its end. You will be transferred to the point where your tour had started, just outside the main entrance of the port, a few meters from your cruise ship, from where you can get back on board of your cruise ship filled with all these new pictures of the sceneries of the different places from your mini bus tour around Corfu Island.