What I can see

The rectangle building has a basement, two floors and an attic. During restoration works ceiling paintings were revealed, which had been covered with paint. Moreover, its overall architectural value was exposed, with its many neoclassical (e.g. half-columns) and renaissance elements (e.g. double staircase). Despite the fact that the first owner was a Turk, the trend towards European standards, with ancient references is clearly visible. Today, it belongs to the orphanage “Melissa” (1922-1977) and houses the Centre for Byzantine Research of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, together with all its functional areas (libraries, offices, classrooms).

What I can't see

Before the coastline’s embankment, the courtyard of the mansion reached the sea. During the First World War, it was used as the headquarters of the French. Today, the purpose of the Centre of Byzantine Research of AUTH is research in Byzantine history, literature, theology, archaeology, art and Byzantine law, the promotion of Byzantine culture, specialisation of scientists, training research experts and the collaboration with foreign scientific institutions.

Info

• Address: 36 Vas. Olgas St.
• Postal Code : 54641
• Phone: +30 2310 992002, 992003
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.kbe.auth.gr/

Bibliography