Serpieri Mansion

What I can see

Anastasios Theofilas designed the house of the Italian mineralogist and owner of the Lavrio Mines and the Serpieri-Roux company, Giovanni Baptista Serpieri (1815-1887). Theophilas respected the imposingness of the Athenian trilogy (Academy of Athens, University and Old National Library) and designed a modest version of neoclassicism. The main facades are dominated by the pilasters with Ionic capitals in the openings of the first and second floors and with Doric ones on the third. Apart from its morphological value, the structure is very interesting, as the architect separated the spaces in such a way that they have different entrances and uses (residential, bank, business premises). The recessed right wing makes distinct the different use of spaces. Jules Girard’s addition has strong Renaissance elements, with an impressive relief above the first-floor’s arched openings, which includes the head of goddess Athena in the middle and scenes of mining activity on each side. This is one of the many modifications the building has undergone over the years. The most important changes include the addition of the last floor and those in its interior, during the time the Agricultural Bank was housed.

What I can't see

During construction, 4 ancient sarcophagi were discovered; three are in the National Archaeological Museum and one had been relocated to the Serpieri family summer house. The gatekeeper of the mansion, who “protected” Serpieri was a man of Kitsos, a well-known bandit of the time. Before the later additions, the building had an inner courtyard and garden. When it came into the ownership of the Agricultural Bank, a piece of plaster was intentionally broken in its interior, in order to install cables. Under layers of oil paint, the rich interior decoration was revealed, curated by Guglielmo Bilancioni and inspired by the Renaissance and Greek mythology. During the dictatorship, the building was almost demolished, but it got listed right after the fall of the regime. The small building, on Edouardou Lo Street, was the caretaker’s house and was also the operational headquarters for the Macedonian Struggle.

Info

• Address: 23 Panepistimiou/ El. Venizelou & Edouardou Lo St.

Bibliography