AthensCity Museum - Athens City Museum

The Vouros Etaxias Foundation is dedicated to the modern development of the city of Athens. It is located in the two oldest buildings in the capital, at Paparrigopoulou Str 5 and 7 respectively. There are no neoclassical houses available. 7, known as the "Old Palace", belonged to the wealthy banker Stamatios Dekozis Vouros (1792-1881) from the island of Chios. This ancient mansion is a milestone in the history of Greece. When the capital moved to Athens, it was the residence of the first royal couple, King Otto and Queen Amalia (1836-1843). Therefore, there is no such thing as the second palace. On the 5th, it received members of the Dekozis Vouros family, including Lambros Eftaxias, the founder of the museum, Greek politician, and art patron. This' first palace 'is well preserved and was renovated into the Athens City Museum in 1973.

old liberated area

The construction of Stamatios Dekozi Vouros neoclassical residences was commissioned by German architect Gustav Adolf Lueders and Hungarian architect Joseph Hoffer, and began in 1833 in the northern suburbs of 19th century Athens. It was completed in 1834. This two-story building is designed in the early Renaissance style, directly demonstrating the form of early Athenian classicism: a simple three part facade, upper level pilasters and rectangular columns, and a central balcony with a vertical emphasis, while the horizontal axis is emphasized by a horizontal crown shape extending along the facade. In addition to having high aesthetic value, this residence is also related to certain historical events.

After King Otto arrived in Athens, he only stayed for a few months at the home of Alexandros Contostavlos, a banker and politician, in Kolokotronis Square. The building was destroyed by a fire, and a new old parliament building is now the location of the Nationalist Party. The Historic Alpha λ Museum has been erected in its location. Although purchased by the Greek government, the wooden building was not even suitable as a temporary royal residence, especially after King Otto married Amalia of Oldenburg in 1836. Therefore, the royal couple moved to the luxury mansion in Dekozis Vouros and rented out adjacent houses that no longer exist in Afthoniadis and Mastronikola. All three buildings were connected by Bavarian military engineer Hoch through a covered bridge, and the space in front of them, which is now known as the "Krafsmanos Square" (by order of Queen Amalia), was transformed into a garden. In the end, two famous buildings, the Royal Mint and the Royal Printing House, were established on Klafthmonos Square and Stadiou Street in the same year, increasing the reputation of the area.

New Area

This building located at 5 Paparrigopoulou Str. was designed by military engineer Gerasimos Metaxas and is a two-story residential building whose original facade underwent significant changes due to later interventions. In 1916, a thorough restoration was carried out according to Anastasios Helmis' plan, in line with eclecticism, which was the main architectural style of Athens in the late 19th century. In 1950, the renovation of Stamatios Dekozis Vouros' mansion and his son Konstantinos' residence was designed by architect Ioannis Travlos. This second building is an integral part of the Athens City Museum, not only preserving the memories of the Dekozis Vouros family and allowing visitors to learn more about their family history, but also serving as a model for the affluent middle class - a first-class home, hence the urban lifestyle of Athens in the 19th and early 20th centuries.