Kapodistrias Museum

The Capodistrias Museum – Center of Capodistrian Studies (also known as: The Kapodistrias Museum or Kapodistrias Museum–Centre of Kapodistrian Studies)(Μουσείο Καποδίστρια–Κέντρο Καποδιστριακών Μελετών) is a museum dedicated to the memory and life's work of Ioannis Kapodistrias. It is located in the area Koukouritsa of Evropouli in Corfu, Greece. Τhe museum is dedicated to the life and work of Ioannis Kapodistrias who was the First Governor of Greece, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire and a great diplomat, politician, physician.The property was donated by Maria Desylla-Kapodistria great granddaughter of Georgios Kapodistrias, younger brother of Ioannis Kapodistrias and the only one of the brothers who got married.Eleni Bistika Kathimerini Article on the Kapodistrian Museum 15 April 2007 Quote: Μία μεγάλης πνοής δωρεά όπως αυτή της Μαρίας Καποδίστρια, δισεγγονής του Γεωργίου Καποδίστρια, μικρότερου αδελφού του κυβερνήτη Ιωάννη Καποδίστρια και του μόνου που παντρεύτηκε, προίκισε διά βίου την Κέρκυρα με ένα Μουσείο – αξιοθέατο, αφιερωμένο στη μνήμη του Ιωάννη Καποδίστρια. Translation A great donation such as the one by Maria Kapodistria, great-granddaughter of Georgios Kapodistrias, younger brother of Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias and the only one who got married, bequeathed this museum to Corfu.... and Το ύψωμα αυτό και η γύρω έκταση ανήκαν από αιώνες στην οικογένεια Καποδίστρια. Translation: These heights and the surrounding area belonged for centuries to the Kapodistrias family and Στα μέσα του 18ου αιώνα κτίστηκε η μικρή εξοχική κατοικία που χρησιμοποιούσε η οικογένεια για τις θερινές της διακοπές Translation: In the mid-18th century a small rural residence was built, used by the family during the summer vacations and Με την κατάλυση της βενετικής κυριαρχίας το 1797 και τον ερχομό των Γάλλων στην Κέρκυρα ο Αντώνιος-Μαρία Καποδίστριας, πατέρας του Ιωάννη, εκπροσωπώντας την πιο συντηρητική μερίδα της κερκυραϊκής αριστοκρατίας ήρθε πολύ γρήγορα σε ρήξη με τους νέους κατακτητές και αναγκάστηκε να εγκαταλείψει την πόλη της Κέρκυρας και να καταφύγει οικογενειακώς στο εξοχικό σπίτι της Κουκουρίτσας. Translation: After the end of the Venetian domination and the coming in 1797 of the French to the island Antonios-Maria Kapodistrias father of Ioannis, representing the more conservative side of Corfiote aristocracy very quickly came to a dispute with the new conquerors and was forced to abandon Corfu city and to move with his family to the resort home at Koukouritsa. and ''Αυτός ήταν ο λόγος που αναγκάστηκαν να αναστείλουν για ένα μεγάλο χρονικό διάστημα τη λειτουργία του Μουσείου, γιατί τα οικονομικά τους δεν το επέτρεπαν. Κάτω απ’ αυτές τις συνθήκες πολλοί φοβήθηκαν και δεν ήταν καθόλου αβάσιμοι οι φόβοι τους ότι δεν επρόκειτο απλά για μια αναστολή αλλά για οριστικό κλείσιμο. Translation: This was reason which forced them to suspend the operations of the museum, because their finances did not allow it. But many were afraid, and their fears were not baseless at all, that it was not a simple suspension of operations but rather a permanent closing. and Οπου και αν απευθύνθηκαν οι τρεις εταιρείες –με πρώτο το υπουργείο Πολιτισμού, κρατικούς φορείς, Τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση πρώτου και δεύτερου βαθμού– τις περισσότερες φορές δεν έλαβαν καμία απάντηση, αγνοήθηκαν εντελώς. Ευτυχώς για το Μουσείο και την επαναλειτουργία του έδειξε έμπρακτο ενδιαφέρον ο Κερκυραίος βιομήχανος και ιδιοκτήτης του ξενοδοχείου Corfu Palace, ο κύριος Χρήστος Φωκάς Translation: Wherever the three societies applied (for funds) -firstly with the Greek Ministry of Culture, state organisations, and local government of the first and second rank- most of the time they never received a reply, they were ignored completely. Luckily for the museum and the resumption of its operations the Corfiote industrialist and owner of the Corfu Palace Hotel Christos Fokas showed active interest.'' The museum was established in 1981. Ioannis Kapodistrias' summer home in the rural area of Koukouritsa in his birthplace of Corfu, houses the museum, showcasing exhibits commemorating his life and accomplishments. Maria Desylla-Kapodistria, a former mayor of Corfu (1956–1959) and the first female mayor in Greece,Municipality of Corfu from the Internet archive (in English) (Editor's note: Link provided by Internet archive may be unreliable. In case it does not work the link to the Greek text below is the translation equivalent of the English text) Quote:''MARIA DESILLA –  THE FIRST FEMALE GREEK MAYOR In 2002 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the complete political emancipation of women in Greece. Corfu has the privilege of the first elected and constitutionally secured Greek female Mayor. After 1930 and until 1952 women in Greece were only allowed to vote (only the literate), but not to be elected in public offices. In May 1952 the Greek Parliament passed the Act 2159/1952 and equal political rights were given to the women in Greece, to vote and be voted to public offices. A little later one of the most important achievements in the fight of women for equal rights started and materialized in the Municipality of Corfu. In the elections of 1954 Stamatios Desillas was elected Mayor for a second term and remained in office until his death, Christmas Day 1955. Soon after a by-election took place in Corfu in which the widow of the deceased Maria Desilla – Kapodistria, was elected Mayor with 5,365 votes in a total of 10,207. Maria Desilla became Mayor of Corfu in 15 April 1956 until 9 May 1959. She was the first female Mayor in Greece. MUNICIPALITY OF CORFU Last Modified: 14 May 2004 Municipality of Corfu on Maria Kapodistria (in Greek) via the Internet Archive (Editor's note: Greek text is the translation equivalent of the English text above) Quote: ΜΑΡΙΑ ΔΕΣΥΛΛΑ Το 2002 συμπληρώθηκαν 50 χρόνια από την κατοχύρωση της πλήρους πολιτικής χειραφέτησης της Ελληνίδας. Η Κέρκυρα έχει το προνόμιο της πρώτης εκλεγμένης και Συνταγματικά κατοχυρωμένης Ελληνίδας Δημάρχου. Μετά το 1930 και μέχρι το 1952 οι γυναίκες στην Ελλάδα – και μάλιστα μόνον οι εγγράμματες – είχαν δικαίωμα μόνο να εκλέγουν και όχι να εκλέγονται. Τον Μάϊο του 1952 το Ελληνικό Κοινοβούλιο ψήφισε το νόμο 2159/1952 που στις γυναίκες ίσα πολιτικά δικαιώματα με τους άνδρες, να εκλέγουν και να εκλέγονται στα αιρετά πολιτικά αξιώματα. Λίγο αργότερα ένα από τα σημαντικότερα επιτεύγματα του αγώνα της γυναίκας για ίσα δικαιώματα ξεκίνησε και υλοποιήθηκε στο Δήμο Κερκυραίων. Στις εκλογές που διεξήχθησαν το 1954, Δήμαρχος Κερκυραίων εκλέχθηκε για δεύτερη φορά ο Σταμάτιος Αλεξάνδρου Δεσύλλας, ο οποίος έμεινε Δήμαρχος ως την ημέρα του θανάτου του, τα Χριστούγεννα του 1955. Έγινε αναπληρωματική εκλογή, από την οποία εκλέχτηκε Δήμαρχος η χήρα του αποθανόντος Μαρία Δεσύλλα, το γένος Καποδίστρια, με 5.365 ψήφους σε 10.207 ψηφοφορήσαντες. Η Μαρία Δεσύλλα έγινε Δήμαρχος Κερκυραίων από τις 15 Απριλίου 1956 έως τις 9 Μαΐου 1959. Ήταν η πρώτη Ελληνίδα Δήμαρχος. ΔΗΜΟΣ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑΙΩΝ Τελευταία ενημέρωση: 20 September 2005'' donated the residence to the three primary cultural societies of Corfu (the Reading Society of Corfu, the Philharmonic Society of Corfu and the Society of Corfiote Studies ). specifically for that purpose. The museum also functions as a centre for Kapodistrian and Corfiote studies.

The museum's exhibition & collection
In 2017, the Kapodistrias Museum reopened after 5 years of renovation featuring a new permanent exhibition and enriched with research, educational and entertainment services. The permanent exhibition presents personal items of Ioannis Kapodistrias, portraits of the Kapodistrias family, books from the personal collection of Ioannis Kapodistrias as well as works of art and furniture dating from his lifetime. In the Koukouritsa room, the history of the Koukouritsa estate and house of the Kapodistrias family and the transformation of this building into a museum dedicated to Ioannis Kapodistrias is presented. The Museum offers visitors a free audio guided tour in four languages (Greek, English, Russian, French).

The museum's garden
The historic garden of the Koukouritsa estate, an area of 1,3 acres, is characterized by its dense vegetation, as well as by the view it offers both towards the city of Corfu itself and towards Epirus. During the summer months cultural events are hosted in the garden. The garden also offers a free web based guided tour to its history and ecosystem and an open-air Cafe under the pine trees, open during between April & October.

Museum awards

 * In 2023, the Benaki Museum honored the Kapodistrias Museum in recognition of its contribution to the cultural life of the Greek. The Kapodistrias Museum received the distinction at a special event held at the Benaki Museum – Greek Culture organized as part of the celebrations of the International Museum Day, on May 23, 2023.
 * In 2022, the Kapodistrias Museum is the only museum from Greece, which was a candidate for the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) for the year 2022. This award is organized by the European Forum for Museums.
 * Εικόνα Viber 2023-07-24 06-24-40-511.jpgΕικόνα Viber 2023-07-24 06-25-29-349.jpgΕικόνα Viber 2023-07-24 06-25-45-021.jpg 2018,  the Kapodistrias Museum Cafe won a distinction by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, as one of the most important examples of architectural projects of the 2016-2018 period, projects that act as indicators for contemporary architecture in Greece. The Kapodistrias Museum Café project was presented in the 9th Biennale of Young Greek Architects at the Benaki Museum - Piraeos 138 (26/9 - 25/11/2018).