T he 1550 gateway, which is still in use, extends back in twin buildings flanking the central avenue, which in Venetian times were used as guardhouses. In time of war they could also serve as secondary bastions, for their upper storeys had cannon ports facing in the direction of the city. The facade of the gateway was originally surmounted by an inset slab with the lion of St. Mark carved in relief. T he two guardhouses are rectangular structures groin-vaulted measuring 15.66 x 6.67 meters.
Arched gates give on to the central avenue.
The sculptures from the old collection from Palaiopolis and other Byzantine sites on the island. Fragments of frescoes from the Church of St. Nicholas in Kato Korakiana, dating from three separate periods, which were removed from the wall and restored in 1970. The portable icons belonging to the old collection have been on display in the Antivouniotissa Museum since 1984. We hope that this present small collection will one day constitute the nucleus of a major Byzantine Museum in Corfu.