12. Mansion of Christidis
Brief documentation:
This mansion was erected during the last decade of the 19th century by the tobacco merchant Apostolos Christidis. After his death the building passed into the ownership of his son Christos, who was also involved in the tobacco trade. The building to this day remains the property of descendants of the family.
It is an imposing two-story mansion of bourgeois character, which was built according to the standards of neoclassicism. The building is built with symmetry and includes quite simple decoration. The main entrance of the building is roofed, includes an external staircase and large windows, while it supports the central and spacious balcony of the house. In addition, there are smaller balconies, which have simple ironwork.
In the living room of the mansion there is a ceiling painting, which was created by the well-known painter Lefteris Kounis, while a similar light painting decoration of the same artist is found in one of the bedrooms of the house. The building has a large courtyard with an imposing fountain in the center. Around the courtyard there is an iron rail, which is decorated with propellers and spears.
According to oral testimonies, in today's large garden there were originally houses and shops, which were bought and demolished, to enlarge and beautify the place, but also the view from the balcony of the house.
Category of thematic interest: ARCHITECTURAL / HISTORICAL INTEREST
History:
It was erected during the last decade of the 19th century by the tobacco merchant Apostolos Christidis. After his death the building passed into the ownership of his son Christos, who was also involved in the tobacco trade. The building to this day remains the property of descendants of the family.
Elements of architecture:
It is an imposing two-storey mansion of bourgeois character, which was built according to the standards of neoclassicism. The building is built with symmetry and includes quite simple decoration. The main entrance of the building is roofed, includes an external staircase and large windows, while it supports the central and spacious balcony of the house. In addition, there are smaller balconies, which have simple ironwork.
Description of other elements:
In the living room of the mansion there is a ceiling painting, which was created by the well-known painter Lefteris Kounis, while a similar light painting decoration of the same artist is also found in one of the bedrooms of the house. The building has a large courtyard with an imposing fountain in the center. Around the courtyard there is an iron rail, which is decorated with propellers and spears. According to oral testimonies, in today's large garden there were originally houses and shops, which were bought and demolished, to enlarge and beautify the place, but also the view from the balcony of the house.
Purpose - Use: Residence
Characterization: Preserved, Institution of the Ministry of Culture, Decision DILAP/C/11/63051 Government Gazette 73/86
Dating (period): Late 19th century
Year of construction: Late 19th century
Monument location: 41.143910, 24.888296
Bibliographic references:
• Thomas Exarchou, Islets of the City of Xanthi, P.A.KE.THRA., Xanthi 2003
• Eleni Kouni, Vasilis Aivaliotis, Sofia Adamantidou, Lefteris Kounis and jewelry in Xanthi, P.A.KE.THRA. – d.e.a.x., Xanthi 2006
• Katsari-Vafiadis, J. ed. 2023. "History and recording of the neoclassical buildings of the traditional settlement". Xanthi: MUNICIPALITY OF XANTHI, P. 60
Address: Orfeos 51
Visitable: No