The Achilleion was built in 1889–91 by the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary Elisabeth (Sisi). Its architect was Italian Raffaele Caritto. It is situated east of the village Gastouri, 10 km from the city. It was named ‘Achilleion’ by Empress Elisabeth herself, who worshipped Ancient Greece, in honour of the Homeric hero Achilles, portrayed in the beautiful statue by E. Herter called Dying Achilles.
The building’s entire decoration, featuring representations and statues inspired from Greek mythology, was Elisabeth’s choice. The Empress would visit Achilleion from time to time up until 1898, when Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni assassinated her in Geneva.
In 1907, Elisabeth’s heirs sold the Achilleion to the German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia William II. William would visit the palace, which had become a hub of European diplomacy, up until 1914, when World War I broke out. Currently, the Achilleion is used as a museum and as a venue for various events of private or public nature, managed by Hellenic Tourist Properties SA.