Spetses: Who Will Save the Historic Anargyros Mansion

From its windows, Eleftherios Venizelos once gazed at the endless blue sea, while its illuminated salons hosted kings, prime ministers, and countless personalities of another era. However, time spares neither people nor buildings, as is evident in many cases. The clock has long been ticking for this unique Spetses jewel, the mansion of the national benefactor Sotirios Anargyros, a man who transformed the island into the cosmopolitan destination it is today.

The mansion is now in danger of destruction. Efforts to restore it, though bolstered by funding and a designated contractor, have been delayed by bureaucratic hurdles. If the situation persists, the building may collapse, leading to a great cultural loss.

The mansion is a notable example of early 20th-century architecture on Spetses, once home to kings, leaders, and other prominent figures. Despite some progress in securing funds and launching restoration efforts, the house’s fate hangs in the balance due to legal and bureaucratic challenges.

Sotirios Anargyros, a prominent figure of Spetses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was a man who made his fortune in the tobacco industry before returning to his home island to contribute significantly to its development. He built this mansion in 1904, and his efforts led to the creation of other landmarks like the Poseidonion Grand Hotel and the Anargyreios and Korgialeneios School of Spetses.

Today, the mansion stands as a crumbling symbol of his legacy, waiting for its second chance at life.

The post Spetses: Who Will Save the Historic Anargyros Mansion appeared first on ProtoThema English.