Achilleion Palace’s Sculptures Declared Monuments

The sixty-one marble sculptures that adorn the halls, the terraces and gardens of Achilleion palace on Corfu, Greece, were declared monuments by the Central Council of Modern Monuments. The majority of frescoes, busts and statues created by noted or unknown sculptors of the 19th century are copies of work of arts that are kept at the Archaeological Museum of Naples and several museums in Rome. Most of the sculptures are at the same positions where Empress Elisabeth (Sissy) of Austria who was the first owner of Achilleion has placed them. To most famous of all the sculptures is “Dying Achilles” created by Ernst Gustav Herter in 1884. The sculpture was the Empress’ personal order to Herter and was initially placed at the Imperial Summer Palace in Vienna. The construction of the palace started in 1889 and was completed in 1891. Paintings, photographs, engravings, furniture, clocks and china are also included in Achilleion’s movable works of art, however, the sculptures are considered the most important artworks of the palace. (source: ana-mpa)

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