Megaro Mela
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The Megaro Mela ( Greek Μέγαρο Μελά ) is a 19th century city palace in Athens . It is located on the place of the popular uprising (Εθνικής Αντίστασης · formerly: Platia Ludoviku, πλατείας Λουδοβίκου or Platia Kotzia, πλατείας Κοτζιά) in the center of Athens. The square building is bordered on the four sides by the streets Aiolos, Sophokles, Streit and Kratinos (οδώs Αιόλοs, Σοφοκλέος, Στρέιτ, Κρατίνοs). The facade and main entrance overlook the square with a view of the neoclassical building of the Town Hall to the west and the National Bank of Greece to the east. Characteristic details are the four corner turrets, the elegant atrium on the ground floor, the decorative statues and round medallions with herms .
history
The palace belonged to the Greek merchant and banker Vasilios Melas (Βασίλειος Μελάς), who did business mainly in Odessa and London . In 1873 he bought the block on the southeast corner of Platia Kotzia and built the two-story city palace according to plans by the German architect Ernst Ziller . When the Megaro Mela was built in 1874, it was the largest private building of its era. Initially it housed the hotel " Grand Hotel d 'Athènes " as a contact point for Greeks abroad . Since 1881, during its heyday, it housed the Athens Stock Exchange (Χρηματιστήριο Αξιών Αθηνών).
After the death of Vasilios Melas in 1884, the palace fell to the Nipiako Epimelitirio Mela Foundation (Νηπιακό Επιμελητήριο Μελά), which continues to support the establishment and establishment of kindergartens to this day. After a fire in 1897, another floor was added in 1899. Between 1900 and 1973 the palace served as the seat of the Athens Central Post Office and the Telegraph Office. In 1974 the Ministry of Culture placed the palace under monument protection as a monument of modern times . In 1979 he was hired by the National Bank of Greece (Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος). Since then it has housed various departments of the bank. During a thorough renovation between 1982 and 1988, the additional storey was removed in order to restore the original appearance.
swell
- Maro Kardamitsi-Adami (Μάρω Καρδαμίτση-Αδάμη): Ernst Ziller 1837–1923: The technique of the classic (Ερνστ Τσίλλερ 1837–1923: Η τέχνη του Κλασικού). Εκδ. Οίκος ΜΕΛΙΣΣΑ, Αθήνα, 2006.
Web links
Coordinates: 37 ° 58 ′ 51.8 " N , 23 ° 43 ′ 42.1" E