Guide to the Corfu Museum of Asian Art
Take in the stately neo-classical architecture of this grand palace standing proudly at the edge of the square. Situated at the northern rim of the Spianada, the Palace of St. Michael and St. George marks the transition between Corfu's old Venetian quarters and its 19th-century British urban planning. Today, this monumental building is home to the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, the only museum in Greece dedicated entirely to the art and antiquities of Asia.
A British Palace on a Greek Island
Built between 1819 and 1824, the palace was designed by British military engineer Colonel Sir George Whitmore. The structure was constructed using imported white Maltese limestone, relying on a workforce of skilled Maltese stonemasons working alongside British military labor.
The pale, weather-toned exterior showcases a Regency and Greek Revival Neoclassical style. Its prominent features include an expansive Doric colonnade and a cornice adorned with carved stone reliefs. These reliefs depict the emblems of the seven Ionian Islands alongside classical ship prows that reference ancient Phaeacia.
A History of Changing Empires
The palace was originally commissioned during the British Protectorate by Sir Thomas Maitland. It served multiple administrative purposes, functioning as the High Commissioner's residence, the meeting hall for the Ionian Senate, and the headquarters of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
Following the 1864 unification of the Ionian Islands with Greece, the building transitioned into a royal residence for the Greek Royal Family. The palace endured significant damage and looting during World War II and the Greek Civil War, a period when it was also used to shelter refugees. Major restorations revitalized the building in the 1950s, with further structural updates completed ahead of the 1994 European Union Summit.
The Legacy of Gregorios Manos
The museum itself originated from the dedication of Gregorios Manos, a Greek diplomat and former ambassador to Austria. In 1919, Manos donated a collection of roughly 9,500 Asian artifacts, having spent almost his entire personal fortune and pension at Parisian and Viennese auctions to acquire them. The museum officially opened to the public in 1928.
In 1973, ambassador Nikolaos Hadjivassiliou expanded the collection by donating around 400 Indian and Southeast Asian works. This addition broadened the institution's scope, leading to its current name.
Far Eastern Treasures and Royal State Rooms
Today, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture operates the museum, which houses over 15,000 Asian artifacts. The striking cultural juxtaposition pairs imperial Chinese porcelain, Gandharan Buddhist sculptures, and Japanese samurai suits with a historic British Regency setting.
Beyond the art galleries, the palace preserves several ceremonial state rooms. The Throne Room, the State Dining Room, and the Ionian Senate Hall remain carefully restored. The interior is anchored by a grand two-story central atrium featuring Ionic columns and scenes inspired by Homer's Odyssey, seamlessly blending local Greek mythological heritage with British design. A portion of the complex is also dedicated to the Municipal Art Gallery of Corfu.
FAQ
What is the history of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George?
Built between 1819 and 1824, the palace originally served as the British High Commissioner's residence and the Ionian Senate hall. It later became a Greek royal residence before transforming into a public museum.
How many artifacts are in the Corfu Museum of Asian Art?
The museum houses over 15,000 Asian artifacts, including imperial Chinese porcelain, Japanese samurai armor, and Gandharan Buddhist sculptures.
Who founded the Corfu Museum of Asian Art?
The museum's core collection was founded by Greek diplomat Gregorios Manos, who donated approximately 9,500 Asian artifacts in 1919 after spending most of his personal fortune acquiring them at European auctions.
