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Asian Art Museum, Corfu
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · GR

Asian Art Museum, Corfu

Getting around: Inside the Palace of St. Michael and St. George on the Spianada, in the heart of Corfu Town's Old Town; fully walkable from anywhere in the center.
Hours: Typically open Tuesday-Sunday, roughly 8:30am-4pm, closed Mondays; check locally as hours shift seasonally.

An unexpected find on a Greek island: a substantial collection of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and broader Asian art and artifacts, housed inside the grand neoclassical Palace of St. Michael and St. George, itself built by the British during their 19th-century rule of the Ionian Islands. The collection largely stems from donations by Greek diplomats and collectors, particularly Gregorios Manos, whose 19th-century collecting forms its core.

The palace building is worth seeing in its own right — its state rooms and colonnaded facade facing the Spianada are among Corfu Town's most striking pieces of British-era architecture — independent of the art collection inside.

It's a good indoor option if the weather turns, or simply a change of pace from Corfu's Venetian and Byzantine sights elsewhere in town.

Asian Art Museum, Corfu FAQs

Why is there an Asian art museum on Corfu?

The collection largely originates from donations by Greek diplomat and collector Gregorios Manos, housed in the former British-built Palace of St. Michael and St. George.

Is the palace building itself open to see beyond the museum?

The museum occupies much of the palace's public rooms, so visiting the museum is largely how you see the building's grand interior.

How long does a visit take?

Around 45 minutes to an hour for most visitors.

Is it in the main Old Town area?

Yes, it's right on the Spianada esplanade, in the middle of Corfu Town's historic center.

Is it a good rainy-day option?

Yes, it's one of the better indoor alternatives if outdoor sightseeing plans get rained out.

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