Building of Ioniki and Laiki Bank (current Alpha Bank)
The building of the former Ioniki and Laiki Bank is one of the few examples of neoclassicism in Thessaloniki.
Modern and Contemporary era (1912 - )
1929 Built.
Ottoman era (1453- 1912)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
Although it is a building of eclectic architecture, the neoclassical propylon dominates the main facade. The other facades are simpler.
What I can't see
On the occasion of the reconstruction after the fire of 1917, neoclassicism reappeared and was applied over the more modern reinforced concrete structures. It also carried the ideological burden of Greekness and represented the prestigious architecture associated with economic organizations. In this spirit, neoclassicism was applied to banks and was particularly imposed on the Bank of Greece and the National Bank. This building, which was designed by Michael Lykoudis, is approached differently in its interior, as the decoration is more intense and included reliefs, capitals, plaster cornices, a mosaic floor section, colourful stained glass windows from Munich and art nouveau furniture.
Info
- Address: 32 I. Dragoumi & 11 Mitropoleos St.
Bibliography
Kolonas V., (2012), Η αρχιτεκτονική μιας εκατονταετίας: Θεσσαλονίκη 1912-2012, [The architecture of a century: Thessaloniki 1912-2012] University Studio Press
Kolonas V., (1997), Αρχιτεκτονική του Μεσοπολέμου, [Interwar Architecture] in Liontis K., (1997) (επ), Αρχιτεκτονική της Θεσσαλονίκης, [Architecture in Thessaloniki] in Epta Imeres, Kathimerini, p. 27-29
Collective Work, (1985-6), Νεώτερα Μνημεία της Θεσσαλονίκης [Modern Monuments of Thessaloniki], Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Northern Greece
Tsaktsira L, Papanthimou K., Mantziou G., Kalogirou N., (2014), Θεσσαλονίκη, η πόλη και τα μνημεία της, [Thessaloniki, the city and its monuments], Thessaloniki: Malliaris Pedia
