Epirotes in Xanthi
This route is about 1 km long, lasts about 50 minutes and is of low difficulty. Through the route, the visitor will be able to get a taste of Epirus in Xanthi and admire the architectural mastery of the famous stone masons of Epirus.

The contribution of these builders to the reconstruction of old Xanthi was significant after the catastrophic earthquake of 1829 and is also associated with the settlement of other families from Epirus in Xanthi in the 19th century (e.g. notary and insurer Stefanos Blatsios, pediatrician Konstantinos Karabetsis, doctor Georgios Maletsidis etc.).

The craftsmen of Epirus built churches, houses, fountains and bridges in the city and the region, as well as carved stone reliefs found in temples and houses (e.g. crosses, figures of saints, etc.). Finally, the people of Epirus are associated with commissions and dedications of icons and other relics in the temples of old Xanthi. For example, the Epirote Georgios Kagialidis dedicated to the Metropolitan Church the icon of St. George in Ioannina.

02. House with semicircular sachnisi

Brief documentation:

This building, located in the Mitropoleos district, is a multi-photographed house, with its main feature being the semicircular projection or sachnisi. The style of the building is popular, with influences from the architecture of Northern Thrace. The characteristic semicircular sachnisi, which is unique in Xanthi, is similar to ones found in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Also, the building has many windows and a paved inner courtyard on five levels, isolated from the outside. The building was painted with peacocks and flowers on the outside, on the lower side of the sachnisi and with mermaids on the inside.

This residence, with the characteristic semicircular sachnisi, was built in 1897. For the period 2006-2008 it was the temporary headquarters of the cultural association of the city with the acronym PA.KE.THRA. (Cultural Development Center of Thrace), which today is based in another building of the Old Town. Since then, it has been used every year by this active cultural association, only during the Old Town Festivals, which take place in early September.


Category of thematic interest:  ARCHITECTURAL / HISTORICAL INTEREST


History:

The house with the characteristic semicircular sachnisi was built in 1897. For the period 2006-2008 it was the temporary headquarters of the cultural association of the city with the acronym PA.KE.THRA. (CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF THRACE). Since then it has been used every year by this cultural association, during the Old Town Festivals.


Elements of architecture:

This building, in the Mitropoleos district, is a multi-photographed house, with its main feature being the semicircular sachnisi. The style of the building is popular, with influences from the architecture of Northern Thrace. The sachnisi, which is unique in Xanthi, is similar to ones found in Plovdiv. Also, the building has many windows and a paved courtyard on five levels, isolated from the outside.


Description of other elements:

The building was painted with peacocks and flowers on the outside, on the lower side of the sachnisi and with mermaids on the inside.


Purpose - Use: Residence


Characterization: Preservable, Institution of the Ministry of Education, Category "C", Decision 5385, Government Gazette 1097/95


Dating (period): Late 19th century


Year of construction: 1897


Monument location: 41.145179, 24.887197


Bibliographic references:

•    Dimitris Mavridis, Houses of Xanthi, Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheoriou – DEAX, Xanthi 2009

•    Dimitris Mavridis, Angelophylaktos Xanthi, Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheoriou, Xanthi 2007


 Address: Stalliou 13


Visitable: No

 

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