Corfu Museums and Art Galleries

(Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece)

Making for a pleasant change to the beach fun on Corfu, a touch of culture is available at the island's numerous museums. The majority of the main museums and galleries are to be found within Corfu Town itself, and cover topics such as Asian art, archaeology, religion and history, amongst other subject matters.

The island's acclaimed Archaeological Museum is home to an interesting and extensive collection of island's artefacts, clearly showing Corfu's very rich archaeological heritage. A real highlight here is the enormous Gorgon Medusa sculpture, which is of great historical significance, being amongst the finest remaining Archaic sculpture in the whole of Greece.

Archaeological Museum

Address: P. Vraila 5, Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 26610 30680
Many exhibits, such as the Gorgon Medusa, were unearthed as the Temple of Artemis at Corcyra, which is known to date back as far as the 6th century BC. Those visiting the town's Archaeological Museum should also look out for the relics from the Bronze Age, and the rather impressive collection of coins, which date as far back as the 6th century BC.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:30 to 15:00
Admission: charge, concessions

Museum of Asian Art

Address: St. Michael and St. Georges Palace, Palaia Anaktora, Kerkyra, Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 26610 30443
Something a little unexpected and well worth finding, the Corfu Museum of Asian Art is home to in excess of 10,000 different exhibits, many of which have been donated from private collections. Located within the Palace of Saints Michael and George, the various items on display are quite diverse and spread across 15 rooms, including porcelain from China and Japan, along with bronzes, screens, paintings and sculptures.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday, May to October - 08:30 to 19:00; November to April - 08:30 to 15:00
Admission: charge, concessions

Byzantine Museum of Corfu (Antivouniotissa Museum)

Address: Antivouniotissa Church, Arseniou, Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 26610 38313
Housed within the 15th-century Church of Our Lady of Antivouniotissa, the Byzantine Museum of Corfu contains a wealth of artefacts and religious art works, dating from between the 13th century and the 17th century. An extension of the collection is also to be found within the sacristy, although the basilica itself is particularly stunning, featuring a dramatic timbered roof.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday, April to October - 08:00 to 19:00; November to March - 08:30 to 14:30
Admission: charge

Museum of Palaeopolis

Address: Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 26610 41369
The Museum of Palaeopolis resides on the southerly side of Corfu Town, on the Kanoni Peninsula, within the restored residence on the Mon Repos Estate. Highlights include various archaeological relics, a 'Period Room', and extensive landscaped gardens, which are home to no less than two Doric temples. The gardens are perfect for picnicking, if you are able to bring food with you, since there are no refreshments or shops available onsite.
Open hours: May to October, Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 19:30
Admission: charge, concessions

Solomos Museum (Museum of Dionusios Solomos)

Address: Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 26610 30674
Located within a very charming house, the Solomos Museum celebrates the life and works of famous Greek poet, Dionysius Solomos, which lived on the island for over 30 years, during the 19th century. Solomos is known for many of his works, but in particular, is famed for penning the national poem of Greece. Many of his personal belongings are on display here, his former residence, including some original manuscripts, poems, letters, portraits, rare books and his actual desk.
Open hours: daily, June to August - 09:30 to 14:00; September to May - 09:30 to 13:00
Admission: charge

Municipal Art Gallery

Address: St. Michael and St. Georges Palace, Palaia Anaktora, Kerkyra, Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 26610 30443
Another good museum situated within the Palace of Saints Michael and George, the Municipal Art Gallery of Corfu contains a large and impressive collection of art works, created by Corfiot painters and also artists from the 15th-century Byzantine period. Favourites include pieces by the father and son Prossalendis, and the Cretan Damaskinas.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Also of interest on Corfu are the:

• Benitses Shell Museum
• Historical and Folkloric Museum
• Kapodistrias Museum
• Numismatic Museum
• Serbian Museum