Rikki Mansion

Rikki Mansion, one of the oldest mansions in Corfu Town, is located at 15 Moustoxidi Street, in the area of Porta Remounda. During Venetian rule, Moustoxidi street was called Strada Larga, i.e. wide street (Plati Kantouni) and was one of the most famous streets of the town. That's where the carnival parade and the horse races used to take place during the Carnival celebrations. The mansion was probably built in the 17th century for the Rikki noble family. Originally it was a two-storey building which occupied the entire width of the block. The entrance to the first floor was through an external staircase, while there was an independent entrance to the ground floor from the side of the street. On the ground floor, there is a portico with seven arches, supported by square columns. There is a 2.5m opening between the columns. Female and male stone heads, the so-called "mourionia", adorn the arches. Above the arches there is a large balcony overlooking Moustoxidi Street from which town authorities (provedditore and the administrators) used to watch the carnival celebrations. There was also a special position for the judges to watch the horse races. During the German bombing in 1943, the building was partially destroyed. It was then restored and compared to its original form some changes took place. Thus a third floor was added. It has been declared as historical landmark according to Ministerial Decision No. 99/17-1-1963 - Government Gazette 29/Β/26-1-1963.