Melas Mansion
Melas Mansion was the largest and most expensive private building of its time.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1874 Constructed.
1881 It housed the stock exchange and 7 years later, the Athenian Club.
1897 It was heavily damaged by fire.
1900 Until 1973, it housed the Central Post Office of Athens. In 1942, postal workers called the first strike in German-occupied Europe.
1974 Listed.
1979 It houses services of the National Bank.
1988 The restoration of its original form was completed, as a third floor had been added between 1909 and 1932.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
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
This imposing building was designed by Ernst Ziller and the arched openings on the ground floor, the characteristic corner towers, the first floor balconies, the pediments and the sculptural decoration are impressive.
What I can't see
It belonged to the wealthy grain merchant of London, Vassilios Melas. It was probably his home and the ground floor also housed shops. Other sources state that it was intendedto operate as a hotel for wealthy Greek clients from abroad. The proceeds of the hotel would go to the construction of schools through the Melas Endowment Committee. It probably did not operate as a hotel. Melas, however, in his will, actually asked for the schools to be funded by the proceeds of the property’s utilization. It was the largest private building in the city at the time and cost the astronomical sum of 1,000,000 drachmas. Inside, there is a glass-roofed atrium. During the German occupation, it housed the censorship committee.
Info
- Address: 93 Aeolou & 1 Kratinou St.
Bibliography
http://www.eie.gr/archaeologia/gr/arxeio.aspx
Last visit 7/11/2022
Yohalas T., Kafetzaki Τ., (2013), Αθήνα, Ιχνηλατώντας την πόλη με οδηγό την ιστορία και τη λογοτεχνία [Athens, Tracing the city guided by history and literature], ESTIA Bookstore
Zivas D.A.., (2012), Αρχιτεκτονικός Οδηγός Αθηνών, [Architectural Guide of Athens], Cultural Foundation of Pireos Group
Mitropoulou K., (d.u.), Αθήνα, μνήμες και κτήρια, [Athens, memories and buildings], Athens: Sideris Publication
