37. Karabetsis Mansion
Brief documentation:
The building was built in 1896, as evidenced by the inscribed year located above the main entrance of the building, in the district of Agios Vlasios by the doctor Konstantinos Karabetsis.
The building was designed from the beginning to function as a residence. It does not seem to have changed use since its inception. It is said that on the ground floor of the mansion the infirmary of the original owner operated.
The pediatrician Karabetsis (1868-1956) was a prominent personality of the local community originating from Asprangeloi (Dovra) of Zagori in Epirus. He developed a rich activity in the Greek Orthodox Community of the city, as he served as a municipal elder and member of the school board. After the integration of the region into the Greek state, he served as a Councilor to the City Council.
The building is an imposing two-storey mansion of urban character, which is built according to the standards of neoclassicism. The exterior of the building is constructed with absolute symmetry and includes a number of decorative elements, such as false pillars with false capitals, a cornice between the first and second floor, decorative cornices on the coronation of the masonry and ceramics on the roof. Above the main entrance of the building there is a large square skylight with colored glazing, which is covered with ornate ironwork.
Similar ironwork is found in the basement windows. On the first floor of the building there is an extension of a part of the interior, which is made according to the Western European standards of erker.
Inside the mansion there is painting decoration (ceiling paintings, frescoes) created by the famous painters George and Nikolaos Maltzis, from Aivali and Eleftherios Kounis.
Category of thematic interest: ARCHITECTURAL / HISTORICAL INTEREST
History:
The building was built in 1896, as evidenced by the inscribed date located above the main entrance of the building, in the district of Agios Vlasios by the doctor Konstantinos Karabetsis.
The building was designed from the beginning to function as a residence. It does not seem to have changed use since its inception. It is said that on the ground floor of the mansion the infirmary of the original owner operated.
The pediatrician Karabetsis (1868-1956) was a prominent personality of the local community originating from Asprangeloi (Dovra) of Zagori in Epirus.
He developed a rich activity in the Greek Orthodox Community of the city, as he served as a municipal elder and member of the school board. After the integration of the region into the Greek state, he served as a Councilor to the City Council.
Elements of architecture:
The building is an imposing two-storey mansion of urban character, which is built according to the standards of neoclassicism. The exterior of the building is constructed with absolute symmetry and includes a number of decorative elements, such as false pillars with false capitals, a cornice between the first and second floor, decorative cornices on the coronation of the masonry and ceramics on the roof. Above the main entrance of the building there is a large square skylight with colored glazing, which is covered with ornate ironwork. Similar ironwork is found in the basement windows. On the first floor of the building there is an extension of a part of the interior, which is made according to the Western European standards of erker.
Description of other elements:
Inside the mansion there is painting decoration (ceiling paintings, frescoes) created by the famous painters George and Nikolaos Maltzis, from Aivali and Eleftherios Kounis.
Purpose - Use: Residence
Characterization: Preservable, Institution of the Ministry of Culture, Decision DILAP/C/3056/48055, Government Gazette 769/90
Dating (period): Late 19th century
Year of construction: 1896
Location of the monument: 41.14099807295384, 24.8861765538817
Bibliographic references:
• Katsari-Vafiadis, J. Ed. 2023. "History and recording of the neoclassical buildings of the traditional settlement". Xanthi: Municipality of Xanthi, p. 177
Address: Agiou Vlasiou 4
Visitable: No