Tsimonidis- Tsolakis umbrella store

What I can see

It is a building of neoclassical architecture with a ground and a first floor and belongs to the oldest buildings of independent Greece. The ground floor has openings with arched skylights above them. The floor openings have a Π-shaped frame, which today is the simplified form of the original neoclassical frames and lintels. The corner openings of each side of the floor have balconies with elaborate railings.

What I can't see

Until the beginning of the 20th century, the building was crowned with statues and had an industrial chimney on the side of Evripidou Street. The “oldest mega umbrella factory in Greece” of Zisis Tsimonidis was housed here. Later, more persons became shareholders, until it finally became property of Tsolakis, one of the two umbrella factory competitors on Aeolou Street. Umbrellas had become a very popular accessory in the mid-19th century. Apart from their utilitarian value, i.e. protection from the rain and the heating sun, Greeks came closer to the dress code and style of the Europeans, gradually leaving behind the habits of the Ottoman years. The building belonged to Angelos Iliadis, who bequeathed his property to noble institutions and this building was donated to Evangelismos hospital.

Info

• Address: 77 Aeolou & Evripidi St.

Bibliography