In the neighborhood of the Metropolis

The route is about 2 km long, lasts about 60 minutes and is of low difficulty. The visitor is located in the heart of the Old Town and has the opportunity to explore the most central part of the traditional settlement, as it developed around the Metropolis of the city.

Starting froms Antika Square, he will walk through the most famous and picturesque streets of old Xanthi, the streets of Mayor Filippos Amoiridis and Orfeos to meet on his way, among others, the triptych of mansions of Kaloudis, Kougioumtzoglou and Kalevras, located next to the Folklore and Historical Museum of F.E.X.

The route will end at Mitropoleos Square, which was identified with the Greek Orthodox community of the city, as around and near it were built the Metropolitan Mansion, the Matsinis School and the House of Photiadis, which also served as the Greek Consulate, in the late Ottoman period.

19. Bachzetzis House

Brief documentation:

The building was built around 1880, by the gardener by profession Konstantinos Bachzetzis. In 1979 this building was bought by the well-known composer Manos Hadjidakis, having returned to his hometown to organize here the new institution of "Music Festivals". He bought the building to serve the organizational needs of the institution. Eventually he was unable to complete the project, as there was no support from the local authorities, and in 1982 the building was sold again. Until today the building remains uninhabited.
It is a simple, two-storey building made of stonework made of hewn local granite. It has a semi-basement, ground floor and first floor. A stone cornice separates the floors of the main façade, and hollow cornices surround the roof.
The main façade of the building is coated with mortar that mimics the isodomic system. Of particular interest is the raised, curved skylight above the entrance, as well as the elaborate iron bars on the windows, made of cast iron in local workshops of the time and protecting the openings.

Category of thematic interest: ARCHITECTURAL / HISTORICAL INTEREST

History:

The building was built around 1880, by the gardener by profession Konstantinos Bachzetzis. In 1979 this building was bought by the well-known composer Manos Hadjidakis, having returned to his hometown to organize here the new institution of "Music Festivals". He bought the building to serve the organizational needs of the institution. Eventually he was unable to complete the project, as there was no support from the local authorities, and in 1982 the building was sold again.
Until today the building remains uninhabited.

Elements of architecture:

It is a simple, two-storey building made of stonework made of hewn local granite. It has a semi-basement, ground floor and first floor.
A stone cornice separates the floors of the main façade, and hollow cornices surround the roof.
Of particular interest is the raised, curved skylight above the entrance, as well as the elaborate iron bars on the windows, made of cast iron in local workshops of the time and protecting the openings.

Description of other elements:

Its main façade is coated with mortar imitating the isodomic system.

Purpose - Use: Residence, Cultural space

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: Around 1880

Monument location: 41.14379, 24.88767

Bibliographic references:

• V. Aivaliotis. "Blonde, sweet stepmother." Xanthi: PAKETHRA 2007, p. 59

Address: Antikas 11

Visitable: No