Tomb of Menecrates, Corfu, Greece

The Tomb of Menecrates is an Archaic-period cenotaph in Corfu, built around 600 BC in the ancient city of Korkyra. The tomb and the funerary sculpture of a lion were discovered in 1843 during demolition works by the British army who were demolishing a Venetian-era fortress in the site of Garitsa hill in Corfu. The tomb is dated to the sixth century BC.

The sculpture is dated to the end of the seventh century BC and is one of the earliest funerary lions ever found. The tomb and the sculpture were found in an area that was part of the necropolis of ancient Korkyra, which was discovered by the British army at the time. According to an Ancient Greek inscription found on the grave, the tomb was a monument built by the ancient Korkyreans in honour of their proxenos (ambassador) Menecrates, son of Tlasias, from Oiantheia. Menecrates was the ambassador of ancient Korkyra to Oiantheia (modern-day Galaxidi) or Ozolian Locris, and he was lost at sea, perhaps in a sea battle. The inscription also mentions that Praximenes, the brother of Menecrates, had arrived from Oiantheia to assist the people of Korkyra in building the monument to his brother.

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User Reviews

Darren Parsley (2 years ago)
Can only be viewed from over the fence. There are information boards dotted around the gardens but it’s locked up

Patrycja Przestań (2 years ago)
It would be great if the site was opened... According to the sign the area is on the UNESCO list but its unavailable to enter. You can see the grave through fence, felt like a thief :)

Peter Mitchell (2 years ago)
Poorly signed archeological site. Just off a main road the whole site when you get there is locked up? You can only see the tomb from behind a metal fence? The tomb looks well preserved and can be photographed over the railings. Shame local council not bothered with access.

Diogo Castro Silva (3 years ago)
Nice small remains of the past site.

Mark Vanautgaerden (3 years ago)
Here you can see the tomb of Menekrates, dating from the 7th up the mid 6th century B.C.! It was discovered in 1843... Unfortunately the site is now abandoned and left to decay with closed gates. Your can only have a look from the street from behind the fence. It has a lot of potential but as with so many archeological sites around Corfu town...

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