Penelope Delta’s Residence

What I can see

It is a late classicist building, with eclectic medieval influences and a tower-shaped staircase. We do not know who the architect was. The interior is simple and has only wooden panelling. On the southwest side, there is a later building, which is an extension of the writer’s workplace.

What I can't see

Originally, it was the residence of the Lytsikas family and in 1912, it was sold to Emmanuel Benakis, who shortly afterwards signed it over his daughter Penelope Delta. Penelope Delta (1874-1941) spent her childhood in Alexandria, Egypt, was well-traveled and reached a very high level of education. However, her fragile psychology, due to her domineering mother, brought her very close to the thought of death. Everything changed when she started her own family with the businessman Stefanos Delta and had the inspiration to write great works, such as “Trelandonis” and “The Life of Christ”. Her works were often inspired by historical events, such as “The Secrets of the Swamp”. Her contribution to the promotion of culture and letters, as well as to the collection of historical sources, was remarkable. She fell into immense grief when Ionas Dragoumis, with whom she was in love and because of this love she broke up with Stefanos Delta, had an afair with Marika Kotopouli. Already psychologically burdened, Penelope Delta committed suicide on the day the Germans invaded Athens.

Info

• Address: 38 Emmanouil Benaki St.

Bibliography