Neoclassical and eclectic buildings of old Xanthi
The route is about 1 km long, lasts about 60 minutes and is of low difficulty. It starts from Michaloglou mansions and ends approximately next to the river Kosynthos. In it, the visitor has the opportunity to get acquainted with the styles of neoclassicism and eclecticism, as expressed in numerous buildings of old Xanthi.

Neoclassicism emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries and is strongly influenced by the principles governing the architecture of classical antiquity. The buildings are distinguished for the simplicity of their geometric forms, the Doric detail, the simplicity, the absolute symmetry, the dividing lines of the vertical spreads and the pilasters with false capitals at the corners.

Eclecticism, on the other hand, is the architectural style of the 19th and 20th centuries, in which a variety of elements from various eras and styles are selected and used, in a single building. In Xanthi, influences from neoclassicism (e.g. absolute symmetry, verticality) are recognized, while individual elements bear influences from Art Deco (e.g. strong decorative mood), Central Europe (e.g. turret roof configuration or turret development), English Baroque (e.g. the use of red brick) and Romanesque style (e.g. arched openings and curved arches).

04. Metropolitan Mansion

Brief documentation:

The Metropolitan Mansion was built in 1897, at the request of Metropolitan Joachim Sgouros in 1892 in the Greek community Council of the city. The Mansion was built to house the services of the Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheoriou, which until then was housed in a private house, but also to be the residence of each Metropolitan. The Metropolitan Palace continues to have the same function uninterruptedly, from its foundation until today.

According to the Minutes of the Council, the money required for its construction would come a) from the amounts due to a loan from the Ottoman authorities to Greek residents of the area and b) from the withholding of a daily wage from the tobacco workers, which would be made after consultation of the Council with the local tobacco merchants. The Metropolitan Mansion is a neoclassical building, with an imposing appearance and absolute symmetry of facades and floor plans. The false pediments in the windows of the upper floor, as well as the imposing entrance, with the arched lintels and the large balcony characterize the main façade of the building.

Inside there is a spacious hall, as well as reception areas for visitors and listening rooms. On the back, north side of the building, in the large window of the staircase there is an impressive skylight, painted with the technique of stained glass.

The building has similarities to the metropolitan mansion in Ohrid in the state of North Macedonia and may have been built by the same architect. The building was renovated in 1998 at the expense of the State.


Category of thematic interest:  ARCHITECTURAL / HISTORICAL INTEREST


History:

The Metropolitan Mansion was built in 1897, at the request of Metropolitan Joachim Sgouros in 1892 in the Greek community Council of the city. The Mansion was built to house the services of the Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheoriou, but also to be the residence of each Metropolitan. The Metropolitan Mansion continues to operate uninterruptedly, from its establishment until today.


Elements of architecture:

It is a neoclassical building, with an imposing appearance and absolute symmetry of facades and floor plans. The false pediments in the windows of the upper floor, as well as the imposing entrance, with the arched lintels and the large balcony characterize the main façade of the building. Inside there is a spacious hall, as well as reception areas for visitors and listening rooms. The building has similarities with the metropolitan mansion in Ohrid in the state of North Macedonia and may have been built by the same architect. The building was renovated in 1998 at the expense of the State.


Description of other elements:

On the back, north side of the building, in the large window of the staircase there is an impressive skylight, painted with the technique of stained glass.


Purpose - Use: Church building


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: 1897


Monument location: 41.144454084213855, 24.88792894720306


Bibliographic references:

•    Dimitris Mavridis, Angelophylaktos Xanthi, Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheoriou, Xanthi 2007
•    ΠP. Kalafatis, Minutes of the Eldership, Code A', Session V of 19 June 1892, p. 21.


 Address: Mitropolitou Anthimou 1


Visitable: No

 

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