Museum of Palaiopolis-Mon Repos, Corfu (must see)

Since 2001, the villa and estate of Mon Repos (My Rest), located in the forest of Palaiopolis, has been used to house the Museum of Palaiopolis-Mon Repos. The name Mon Repos was given to the villa by King George I of the Hellenes. He received the villa as a summer residence from a united Greece in 1864.

The villa was built in 1831 for the British Lord High Commissioner of the United States of the Ionian Islands, Frederick Adam. In 1833 it housed a school of fine arts. The park around the villa was opened to the public in 1834. It was a royal summer residence until 1967, when King Constantine II, the last king of Greece, fled the country.

The villa at the Mon Repos estate is a perfect example of Neoclassicism of the Regency era. The permanent display is spread throughout 14 galleries. The uppermost floor hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events.

In the galleries are archeological finds, documents, prints, and photos. The mansion contains Regency-style furniture, objects, and a collection of watercolors and botanicals. The estate covers 260 acres of trees, temple ruins, and the botanical gardens of the Ionian Academy.

On the northeastern shore is the ancient well of Kardaki. It is said if a stranger drinks from this well, he will stay in Corfu forever. Overlooking the sea is the cave of Nymphs and an ancient theatre. In the Mon Repos area, one may find the temples of Hera, Artemis, and Apollo.