Joseph Modiano’s House
The interior decoration of the Joseph Modiano's House is very rich.
Modern and Contemporary era (1912 - )
1960 Until the 1978 earthquake, it operated as an annex of the 1st men’s high school.
2015 Restored to its original form.
Ottoman era (1453- 1912)
1899 Constructed.
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 eclectic building is rectangular and placed in the centre of a pine yard. It consists of a semi-basement and two floors. Its facades are symmetrical, simple, and the principle base-body-crowning is respected. The main facade is divided into 3 vertical axes and the central one is highlighted by the marble staircase. The middle part recedes inwards and the recess creates a protected entrance. Other elements of the facade are the side pilasters and the architraves and cantilevered beams on the lintels. In the interior, there was probably painted decoration.
What I can't see
It belonged to the Jewish Modiano family, originally from Italy, who settled in Thessaloniki at the beginning of the 18th century. Together with the Allatini family, they created a trading empire in the Balkans, mainly in the fields of grain, silk and leather. After the death of Joseph Modiano, the number of heirs created complications regarding the future of the building. With the war, the situation worsened and after the war it passed to the Greek State. About 15 families were housed here between 1946 and 1958. Then, it housed a school.
Info
- Address: 5 Vas. Olgas Avenue
Bibliography
Collective Work, (1985-6), Νεώτερα Μνημεία της Θεσσαλονίκης [Modern Monuments of Thessaloniki], Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Northern Greece
Open House Athens, (2019), Οικία Γιοσέφ Μοδιάνο, [Villa Giosef Modiano] ΟΗΤΗ
