What I can see

This pair of buildings has been housing the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GCGW) for many decades. The building on Patision Street (28th October Street) is of eclectic architecture and is an example of French neo-baroque. The architect is still unknown.

What I can't see

The front building was the residence of the Jewish merchant Elias Isaias, who sold it in haste to escape the Nazis. It used to be two-storey and another floor was added later. The name of the building is not clear how it came about or whether it is related to the politician of the interwar period, Leonidas Iasonidis. During the unification and restoration of the buildings in the 1990s, under the supervision of architect Manos Perrakis, the application of different decorative styles to each room was highlighted. The history of the confederation is very interesting. From the era of the first labour centers, the Fédération of Thessaloniki, the infiltration of fascists and extremists into trade unions, the tortures during the German Occupation, till its activity during the recent decades, the confederation has been identified with many “ferments” that made the labour movement a front-runner, but at the same time it has been responsible for many divisions and intrigues to the detriment of the labour movement.

Info

• Address: 69 Patision/ 28is Oktovriou St.

Bibliography