“Bourtzi and Achilleion are up for sale,” screamed headlines on various websites in recent days, causing a stir—mainly among the local communities in Nafplio and Corfu—and fueling political exploitation of a sensationalist “firework” that, in reality, had zero chance of being true. Because the country’s monuments are protected by the Constitution and are public property not subject to any transactions.

The Bourtzi fortress in Nafplio has been fully restored and reopened to the public after years.

We should clarify here that the administration and management of these particular sites, which are officially designated monuments, have for decades not belonged to the Ministry of Culture—unlike the vast majority of domestic heritage sites—but to the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), and were automatically transferred to the portfolio of the Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD), their natural successor. They have absolutely no connection with the major fiasco of 2018, when the Ministry of Culture and Sports at the time, under Lydia Koniordou, mistakenly transferred management rights for 99 years to ETAD, a subsidiary of the Superfund, of 2,329 monuments, archaeological sites, and museums—including Knossos, the royal tombs of Vergina, the White Tower, and the Rotunda of Thessaloniki—most of which were eventually excluded amid strong backlash.

The rumors about the potential sell-off of the island fortress of Nafplio and the Achilleion of Corfu stemmed from the fact that they were included in a recent presentation by ETAD in Cannes, during the MIPIM international real estate exhibition. However, despite the company immediately denying the reports, the controversy did not die down, leading to emergency meetings of the relevant local authorities, parliamentary questions, and, unsurprisingly, reactions from opposition parties.

The stunning Achilleion is one of Corfu’s most iconic landmarks.

To fully clarify the matter, protothema.gr contacted ETAD’s CEO Hero Hatzievgeniou, who stated emphatically: “Let me be crystal clear: the presentation of the two sites at the Cannes exhibition (MIPIM) aimed to showcase our Company and highlight the history and cultural value of the properties we manage, enhancing Greece’s international image as a high-quality destination. It has nothing to do with providing services to new business units, but fits into ETAD’s broader strategy to increase visitor numbers and improve the overall visitor experience, contributing to local development.”

When asked whether there are any plans to eventually lease and exploit the two sites long-term to Greek or foreign operators—like what will happen with the Asani building in Corfu’s Old Town, which is set to be leased for 30 years through an open bidding process—she ruled out any such scenario, saying: “The Achilleion in Corfu and the Bourtzi in Nafplio are ETAD Business Units under our management, with full respect for their status as national cultural heritage sites and accessible monuments. For the development, management, and promotion of these historic landmarks, we work in constant, close, and excellent collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.”

Business Management
Nonetheless, for both ETAD and the current leadership of the Ministry of Culture, as has been stated publicly on multiple occasions, culture is considered not only a national value but also a key driver of economic and social development. In this context, ETAD’s core mission is the business management of tourism, cultural, and commercial infrastructure within its portfolio, aiming to generate revenue for the Greek state and deliver positive economic and social impact to the local areas where these properties are located. This is why the sites under its administration are referred to as “Business Units.”
At the same time, however, the company has the obligation, in direct cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, to protect the infrastructure it manages, especially when it involves monuments and sites of archaeological interest.

From the 1930s to the late ’60s, Bourtzi operated as a hotel hosting prominent personalities.

The History of Bourtzi Fortress
In this case, the Bourtzi of Nafplio, which had been closed to the public for many years, has been operating again since summer 2023 as a cultural and recreational monument open to visitors. The fortress complex, built during the First Venetian Rule (1471–1477) by the distinguished Renaissance architect Antonio Gambello, served as the city’s defense for 350 years, played a major role in Nafplio’s liberation during the Greek War of Independence, was leased in the 1930s for tourism purposes, and operated as a hotel until the late 1960s. In the mid-1980s, it functioned as a restaurant and café until around 1995, after which it remained closed.

Restoration and revitalization works began in 2014, halted in 2015, resumed in 2017, and were completed in 2021 as part of a close collaboration between ETAD and the Ministry of Culture. As ETAD’s CEO notes, “extensive maintenance and restoration work has been carried out on all original and functional parts, both inside and outside. A small exhibition space and shop have been created in the bastions, while the small restaurant and café function has been preserved. The layout of the southern tower as a hotel room was maintained, with its furnishings and movable equipment restored to showcase the fortress’s past use. An elevator was also installed to ensure full visitor accessibility.”

A view from the interior of Bourtzi Fortress

What about the financial performance of the monument and how are the profits split between ETAD and the Ministry of Culture? “In 2024, the fortress had about 100,000 visitors and ETAD’s revenues reached approximately €240,000. Inside the fortress, there’s a gift shop, the operations and revenues of which are managed by the Ministry of Culture,” says Hero Hatzievgeniou, also informing us that “ETAD launched an open bidding process for the operation of a high-standard café-restaurant within the fortress. A contractor has already been selected, and the lease agreement is pending approval by the Court of Auditors.”

As for ticketing, security, cleaning, and administrative services, she notes that “ETAD applies a hybrid employment model combining permanent staff and personnel from Facility Management companies, ensuring seamless operations and high-quality service.” According to the company’s published tenders, staff is hired annually through an open competition on a ten-month contract basis for these services.

The Achilleion stands out for the priceless artworks it hosts both indoors and outdoors.

Delays in the Restoration of the Achilleion
In contrast to Bourtzi, which is fully restored, the renovation of the Achilleion has proven to be a complex and time-consuming endeavor, plagued by delays and challenges. As a result, the museum—one of Corfu’s most popular and most visited landmarks—remains closed. In the past, disagreements arose regarding the project’s funding authority, as it requires extensive and important interventions, and work has been halted in recent months.

The plans include restoration works on the palace, courtyard, barracks, gatehouse, and Baron’s building; maintenance of fixed and movable exhibits, frescoes, and plasterwork; creation of exhibition structures; design and production of multimedia apps; exhibition lighting; production of educational material; and implementation of the Palace’s Museological–Museographic study.

On the project’s future, ETAD’s CEO informs us: “A significant development occurred to help overcome the issues and corresponding delays. Recognizing the strategic importance of the monument, the Governmental Committee approved the inclusion of the ‘Restoration & Enhancement of the Complex in Corfu’ project in the Strategic Significance Contract Program with a €14 million budget, to be implemented with ETAD’s own funds. This is a new approach that will accelerate procedures.” She adds that “until the renovation is completed, ETAD has launched a series of smaller interventions to improve the visitor experience in the palace gardens, which will be gradually completed within the year.”

The Achilleion is one of Europe’s most stunning royal villas. Built in the late 19th century, it is closely associated with the legendary Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) of Austria, who became globally known through both history and popular culture. Enchanted by the unmatched beauty of this blessed place, the beautiful, intelligent, and cultured Elisabeth chose a seaside slope to build a summer palace, naming it after her favorite mythological hero, Achilles. She personally oversaw the decoration of both the interior and exterior with impressive artworks, frescoes, paintings, and large-scale sculptures featuring heroes of Greek mythology and history. She would retreat there whenever life at court became overwhelming or when facing health issues, and it was her sanctuary after the tragic loss of her son.

Romy Schneider portraying Princess Sisi, who found refuge at the Achilleion in Corfu

After her assassination in 1898, during a trip, the palace remained tightly shut for nearly a decade. In 1907, it was purchased by the German Emperor Wilhelm II—also known as the Kaiser—who left his own mark on the property. Among his contributions were the spectacular remodeling of the gardens and the relocation of the statue of the Dying Achilles to its current position, where it is now overshadowed by the statue of Triumphant Achilles, which the Emperor himself brought to the palace, inscribed with the words “To the greatest of the Greeks from the greatest of the Germans.”

After World War I, ownership of the estate passed to the Greek state. It was left abandoned and looted until 1962, when it was leased to a West German company and operated as a casino until 1981. It reopened in 1984 as a tourist attraction.