Corfu Town Archaeological Museum

Corfu Town's Archaeological Museum holds two of the finest treasures of ancient Greece, the Gorgon pediment and the Lion of Menekrates.

Corfu’s archaeological museum may be small but it holds two of the finest treasures of ancient Greece. The Gorgon pediment is thought to be the country’s oldest surviving monumental sculpture, while the lovely Lion of Menekrates is among the earliest stone animal carvings. Although Corfu may have few remaining archaeological sites that can be seen, these relics attest to the richness of its ancient past. 

Most of the exhibits, brightly lit and well-displayed, are in six rooms on the second floor. At the top of the stairs, the vestibule contains grave monuments from an ancient cemetery in Garitsa, including a 6th century BC burial pithos (urn) with the bones of a child. 

Lion of Menekrates

The central room holds the exquisite Lion of Menekrates. The lifelike, crouching stone figure was carved in the late 7th century BC by an unknown Corinthian artist. It was found near the Tomb of Menekrates in 1843, and is thought to have guarded the grave of a warrior. 

Some Cool Corfu Souvenirs

Paleokastritsa-luggage-tag.jpg

Paleokastritsa Luggage Tag

Corfu-Cypresses-Capri-leggings.jpg

Corfu Cypresses Capri Leggings

Corfu-t-shirt.jpg

Corfu T-shirt

Corfu-tote-bag.jpg

Corfu Tote Bag

The Gorgon Room

Behind a dividing wall, the Gorgon room is dominated by the enormous west pediment from the Doric temple of Artemis (585 BC) at Palaiópolis measuring 17 meters (56 feet) long and 3 meters (10 feet) high. The frightening figure of Medusa with bulging eyes and snakes hissing at her head and waist practically pops out of the frame. Beside her are two fierce panthers and her sons Pegasus and Chrysaor. The gorgon haunts you long after you leave the room. 

Top Tip

Go into the central room of the museum first, and around the wall behind the Lion of Menekrates, to get the best first view of the stunning Gorgon frieze.

The Gorgon

According to Greek mythology, the gorgons were three hideous female creatures with fangs, bronze wings and live snakes instead of hair. Medusa had once been a beautiful maiden, but when she boasted that she was lovelier than Athena, the angry goddess turned her into a gruesome monster. Because of her appearance, she had the power to turn anyone who gazed at her into stone.

Unlike her sisters, Medusa was mortal. She was killed by Perseus, who cut off her head while looking at her reflection in a mirrored shield. Her two sons, the winged horse Pegasus and the hero Chrysaor, sprang from the blood which spurted from her neck.

Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides

Rough-Guide-Greek-Islands-2022.png

Mon Repos Room

The adjoining Mon Repos room features objects excavated from the Mon Repos estate on the Kanóni Peninsula. They include some splendid small objects, such as the Little Lion tripod decoration, the bronze statuette known as Lakon Komastis, and a four-horse chariot and charioteer. The remaining rooms contain pottery, statues, artefacts and the museum’s large numismatic, or coin collection.

Hidden Gem

In the Apollo Parnopios room, look for the display of bronze medical instruments in a case along the outside wall – and use your imagination!

Other Corfu Town Pages

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Corfu Town, including the best restaurants for a treat, traditional tavernas, and cheap and cheerful good eats.

    Where to Eat in Corfu Town

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Corfu Town, including the best restaurants for a treat, traditional tavernas, and cheap and cheerful good eats.

  • The church of Saint Spyrídon (Ayios Spyridon) in Corfu Town is a must-see site and contains the silver casket of the island’s patron saint.

    Church of Saint Spyrídon

    The church of Saint Spyrídon (Ayios Spyridon) in Corfu Town is a must-see site and contains the silver casket of the island’s patron saint.

  • Rising on a steep hill behind the old harbour, the Campiéllo is the oldest district of Corfu’s Old Town.

    Old Corfu Town

    Rising on a steep hill behind the old harbour, the Campiéllo is the oldest district of Corfu’s Old Town.

  • The villa of Mon Repos to the south of Corfu Town was once the summer home of the Greek royal family but now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis.

    Mon Repos

    The villa of Mon Repos to the south of Corfu Town was once the summer home of the Greek royal family but now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis.

  • The Palace of St Michael and St George in Corfu Town contains the Museum of Asiatic Art, the Municipal Art Gallery, and the Modern Art Museum.

    Palace of St Michael and St George

    The Palace of St Michael and St George in Corfu Town contains the Museum of Asiatic Art, the Municipal Art Gallery, and the Modern Art Museum.

  • This walk in Old Corfu Town, or Campiello, takes you from the Liston through the narrow back streets and alleyways and should take about one to two hours.

    A Walk in Old Corfu Town

    This walk in Old Corfu Town, or Campiello, takes you from the Liston through the narrow back streets and alleyways and should take about one to two hours.

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Corfu Town including hotels near the port, near the airport and in the town centre, with budget and luxury options.

    Where to Stay in Corfu Town

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Corfu Town including hotels near the port, near the airport and in the town centre, with budget and luxury options.

  • Corfu Town’s Byzantine Museum is a little gem, one of the town’s top museums with an excellent collection of Byzantine art in a 15th-century church.

    Corfu Town’s Byzantine Museum

    Corfu Town’s Byzantine Museum is a little gem, one of the town’s top museums with an excellent collection of Byzantine art in a 15th-century church.

  • The main sites to see in Corfu Town are listed on our main Corfu Town page, and some also have their own pages, but here are some of the other things to see.

    Sites to See in Corfu Town

    The main sites to see in Corfu Town are listed on our main Corfu Town page, and some also have their own pages, but here are some of the other things to see.

  • Kanoni is one of two tiny islands off Corfu, about an hour’s walk south of Corfu Town, and one of the most photographed spots on Corfu.

    Kanoni

    Kanoni is one of two tiny islands off Corfu, about an hour’s walk south of Corfu Town, and one of the most photographed spots on Corfu.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Athens’ Technopolis to Stage More Than 50 Concerts this Summer

    Technopolis, the most renowned cultural hub in Athens, recently announced its summer program of events, featuring famous Greek and foreign artists taking the stage from May to September.

    Read More

  2. New Electric Buses Hit the Streets of Athens

    New electric buses were added to the fleet of public bus company OSY SA and have started operating on the streets of Athens. The new buses are part of the Greek Transport Ministry’s strategy to modern…

    Read More

  3. The Parthenon of the Peloponnese: The Temple of Apollo at Bassae

    One of the best-preserved monuments from Classical antiquity, the Temple of Apollo at Bassae is a hidden gem in the mountains of Arcadia.

    Read More

  4. Santorini Voted Best Island in Europe at US Awards

    Greece wins top honors at this year's American Leisure Lifestyle Awards, with Santorini ranked the "Best Island in Europe" for the 11th consecutive year.

    Read More

  5. This Greek Island is Europe’s Sunniest Place in May

    Britain’s Express newspaper encourages its readers to experience the beauty and warmth of the Greek island of Kos, the sunniest place in Europe in May.

    Read More

  6. 5+1 Reasons for a Spring Day Trip to Aegina

    Wildflowers, ancient olive trees, nature, and delicious pistachio treats. In the spring, Aegina provides everything you need for the perfect day trip.

    Read More

  7. Take a drive down California’s Pacific Coast Highway One

    Stretching 656 miles and connecting the coastal redwoods of Northern California to the sandy beaches of Southern California, is SR 1, otherwise known as the California Pacific Coast Highway, the PCH…

    Read More

  8. Highway 1 to Big Sur Has Reopened — What to Know About Visiting from the Bay Area

    If you’ve been eagerly awaiting this Highway 1 reopening and want to plan a long-delayed trip to Big Sur this summer, there are several things that prospective visitors to the region should know. Keep…

    Read More

  9. Matala Beach Festival Revives Hippie Era on Crete

    The international Matala Beach Festival on Crete will transport attendees back to the famous hippie era with live music events, sports, and art activities for children. From July 5 to 7, people of all…

    Read More

  10. Birdwatching on Lesbos

    golden-eagle-pixabay.jpg
    For keen birdwatchers, birdwatching on Lesbos offers a chance to see over 300 species in diverse habitats on a key migratory route between Europe and Africa.

    Read More