A Retreat For Sisi

Achilleion was built for Empress Elisabeth, better known as Sisi, in 1890. It was built as a refuge for the monarch after her only son passed away. It is not just one of the most popular attractions in Greece, but also a landmark with a great story behind.

A Few Words About Sisi

Sisi became quite a popular character over the past half a century. She was featured in a few movies during the 1950s, but there are also some more recent series about her.

Many times, she was compared to Princess Diana because both of them were fashionable and beautiful. Plus, they were loved by their people and they failed to adjust to monarchy life. Moreover, they both died in tragic circumstances.

Sisi was Emperor Franz Josef’s wife and a leader of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They were first cousins. She was obsessed with her silhouette and wanted to travel the world. In fact, she wanted to be anywhere but in Vienna, Austria, as her husband was always busy.

She learnt quite a few different languages and she admired Greek art and history. She spent a lot of time in Hungary, where people simply adored her. Achilles was one of her favourite characters in mythology, hence the Achilleion being built around this theme.

She was killed in 1898 in Geneva, Switzerland. An anarchist who was looking for another noble decided to kill the first blue blood he could see. Unfortunately, that was Sisi.

Achilleion And Sisi’s Support

Sisi loved Corfu, hence the location of her palace. The estate is on top of a hill, above the Ionian Sea. It was not just an official residence for a monarch, but also a place of tranquillity for the empress’s troubled mind.

Pretty much everything about this estate is influenced by the Greek mythology and Sisi’s admiration of Achilles. In fact, the hero’s image can be seen everywhere. It was not just his story, but also Sisi’s symbolism of her own issues.

Corfu was the only place where Sisi could find a bit of peace away from her imperial duties. She used to visit it for long periods of time, relaxing, contemplating, walking around and riding horses.

Despite her efforts to keep calm, Sisi’s mental health kept deteriorating. She kept dreaming about the freedom she had as a youth, finding it impossible to deal with societal expectations. Her issues with anxiety and depression persisted until her dramatic assassination.

History Of Achilleion

Achilleion is highly related to one of the biggest tragedies in Sisi’s life and that is the loss of her only son, Rudolf. The Mayerling incident from 1889 was a hit for the empress. The palace construction started a year later, in 1890, after Sisi bought the land for it in Gastouri.

Corfu was her favourite destination for vacations and peace, hence her decision.

The design was made by Italian architect Raffaele Caritto. The theme revolved around Achilles. Overall, the construction was over in 1892. It was designed like a classic Phaeacian palace, but with strong influences from the renaissance in Italy.

Her tragic death from 1898 had an impact on the history of the palace. It was sold to Wilhelm II, who used it as a summer residence until World War I started. During the war, it was used as a military hospital. Today, it is a museum, drawing tourists from all over the world.