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Palace of St. Michael and St. George

The Palace of St. Michael and St. George in Corfu is the impressive edifice which, adorns the northern side of Spianada, the magnificent square of the city. It was built between 1819 and 1824, during the rule of the English Commissioner Thomas Maitland, by the architect Whitmore. It was dedicated to the Saints Michael and George, as it was the see of the homonymous religious order, while it also housed the offices and the residence of the English Commissioners. After the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece (1864), the royal family used the Palace of St. Michael and St. George as their residence, while, today, the Museum of Asian Art is housed there.

Built of Maltese stone, the Palace of St. Michael and St. George is distinguished for its exceptional architecture, evaluated by many as the masterpiece which, was built during the English occupation in Corfu. It is of neoclassical style, with typical Doric colonnade on the face where, there are two magnificent gates: one of St. George and the other of St. Michael. The central portion above the cornice is adorned with art works of the Corfiot sculptor Prosalentis: embossed representations of the seven Ionian Islands, while on the middle one can see the cornucopia which, is considered an English symbol. The interior decoration of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George is also impressive, with bronze and marble dominating, while the dome of light, located in the center, allows plenty of sunlight to enlighten the area.

In front of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George there is also the statue of the English Commissioner Frederick Adam who, is remembered as the person who brought water to the city of Corfu. He was, also, married to the Corfiot Nina Palatianou and it is believed that he loved the island like it was his motherland.

On the side and backside of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, with a vast view of the sea, there is a beautiful garden where, a small coffee shop is located for the visitors: Do not forget to visit it in order to relax in this serene environment.

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