The district of “Towers” or “Countrysides” is a suburb, which developed as a residential expansion that followed the demolition of the city’s Eastern Walls, in the late 19th century. Located at this waterside, privileged district and without any religious or ethnical discriminations, a newly formed, dominant bourgeoisie formed its settlement, the multicultural elite of the city, which consisted of Israeli, Turks, Greeks, Franks, Dönme and Levantines. The European style of Eclecticism became the symbol of aristocracy, whose social identity was greatly displayed through its architecture. To this day, the “Towers” still reflect the cosmopolitan glamour of that time period.

Through a course along Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, the narration of the “unidentified side” of the Countrysides District continues, while spectating the dispersed, impressive villas that are preserved to this day, up to the borders of Kalamaria.

The purpose of the route is for the visitors to travel back in time, to the beginning of the 20^th century and picture the figure of the old days’ district, through the buildings that survived over time and from the memories and the myths that surround them.

DATES
23 & 24 October 2021

OPEN HOURS
11:00-16:00, new tour every 15′

STARTING POINT
Villa Modiano (Folklife Museum), 68 V. Olgas Av.

ENDING POINT
Floka’s kiosk, 212 V. Olgas Av.

DISTANCE
2,8 km

DURATION
approximately 2 hours

photo: Giannis Simitopoulos