Syngrou Mansion (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

What I can see

Today we see a complex of two buildings. The oldest is of neoclassical architecture and was the residence of the banker Andreas Syngros. The newer building, work of Ioannis Vikelas, belongs to late modernism and follows the trend of the time with the use of glass, but the use of marble and its vertical stripes give it a Doric feel and there is a connection with the neoclassical building. It was built to serve the increased needs of the ministry. The neoclassical building, however, has almost nothing to do with how it originally was, or even more so, how it was designed. Architect Ziller’s design was a modest two-storey building with a small roof structure, a tripartite arrangement, and a projecting archway. Syngros intervened and two spaces were added on either side, so the tripartite arrangement became five-partite. With the conversion of the building into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the projecting central entrance of neoclassical style, occupied the entire height of the building and was crowned with pediment. A recessed floor was also added.

What I can't see

The Syngrou mansion had a maid’s room, stables, carriage house and luxurious rooms. The supervisor of its construction was Nikolaos Soutzos and the interior decoration was handled by the French Frédéric- Eugène Piat. Building materials, furniture and decoration came from abroad, causing a rivalry between the wealthy of the time. At the wedding of prince Konstantinos with Sophia, Syngros hosted many high-ranking guests from abroad.

Info

• Address: 5 Vas. Sofias Av.

Bibliography