29. Mansion of Blatsiou
Brief documentation:
The mansion was built during the first decade of the 20th century by Stefanos Blatsios (1873-1952).
It was one of the wealthiest families of Xanthi, originating from the village of Asprangeloi (Dovra) in the region of Zagori in Epirus. Stefanos Blatsios worked as a notary and insurance agent and was involved in public affairs. He was a member of the school board in 1920 and a municipal councilor from 1934 to 1936. The building was designed from the beginning to function as a residence. It does not seem to have changed its use since its inception.
It is an imposing two-storey mansion of bourgeois character, which is built according to the standards of neoclassicism. The exterior of the building is constructed with absolute symmetry and includes several decorative elements of neo-renaissance character, such as false pillars with false capitals and capitals, pedimented decorations above the windows and decorative cornices in the coronation of the masonry.
The main entrance of the mansion is an enclosed portico with a marble staircase and supports a balcony, which includes elaborate iron bars with rosettes. Iron bars can also be found on the windows of both the ground and the first floor. Inside the building there is a central staircase around which the rooms of the house are organized.
The internal masonry of the mansion is decorated with ceiling paintings and frescoes.
Category of thematic interest: ARCHITECTURAL / HISTORICAL INTEREST
History:
The mansion was built during the first decade of the 20th century by Stefanos Blatsios (1873-1952). It was one of the wealthiest families of Xanthi, originating from the village of Asprangeloi (Dovra) in the region of Zagori in Epirus. Stefanos Blatsios worked as a notary and insurance agent and was involved in public affairs. He was a member of the school board in 1920 and a municipal councilor from 1934 to 1936. The building was designed from the beginning to function as a residence. It does not seem to have changed its use since its inception.
Elements of architecture:
It is an imposing two-storey mansion of bourgeois character, which is built according to the standards of neoclassicism. The exterior of the building is constructed with absolute symmetry and includes several decorative elements of neo-renaissance character, such as false pillars with false capitals and capitals, pedimented decorations above the windows and decorative cornices at the coronation of masonry.
The main entrance of the mansion is an enclosed portico with a marble staircase and supports a balcony, which includes elaborate iron bars with rosettes. Iron bars can also be found on the windows of both the ground floor and the first floor. Inside the building there is a central staircase around which the rooms of the house are organized.
Description of other elements:
The internal masonry of the mansion is decorated with ceiling paintings and frescoes.
Purpose - Use: Residence
Characterization: Preservable, Institution of the Ministry of Culture, Decision DILAP/C/480/18908, Government Gazette 331/94
Dating (period): Early 20th century
Year of construction: Circa 1910
Location of the monument: 41.142577989087314, 24.886501508714538
Bibliographic references:
• Dimitris Mavridis, Angelophylaktos Xanthi, Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheoriou, Xanthi 2007
• Dimitris Mavridis, Houses of Xanthi, Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheoriou – DEAX, Xanthi 2009
• Thomas Exarchou, Islets Polis Xanthi 2, P.A.KE.THRA, Xanthi 2003
• Katsari-Vafiadis, J. Ed. 2023. "History and recording of the neoclassical buildings of the traditional settlement". Xanthi: Municipality of Xanthi, p. 111
Address: Taxiarchon 2
Visitable: No