Thessaloniki Vasilissis Olgas Avenue

General information

Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, one of the longest and largest streets in the entire city of Thessaloniki, has a long history that goes all the way back to the 1890s when the town began to expand beyond its southeastern walls. Originally, wealthy families of various ethnicities chose to settle there, building an array of magnificent mansions that incorporated diverse architectural styles in the spirit of European eclecticism. Thus, it was not long before the street became known as the Avenue of Towers or the Avenue of Exoches.

However, the course of historical events soon had an impact on Olgas Avenue. After the city became part of the Greek State in 1912, many Muslims abandoned their villas, while, during the First and the Second World Wars, a number of mansions were commandeered for military purposes. At the same time, the deportation of Jewish residents to concentration camps changed the face of the town too. Over the years, several blocks of flats came to replace many of the mansions; nevertheless, a number of them have fortunately survived to this day, testifying to the economic and commercial flourishing of Thessaloniki in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Prominent among them are Villa Mordoch, a two-story edifice characterized by a harmonious blend of neoclassical, renaissance, baroque and art-nouveau elements, as well as by a striking onion dome, and the elegant Casa Bianca, which now houses the Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki. Known as the “Red House”, Villa Allatini is another jewel in the crown of Olgas Avenue. Having housed a number of public services, including the Faculty of Philosophy, it is an imposing structure with red-brick walls and marble ornaments designed by the renowned architect Vitaliano Poselli.

Walking along Olgas Avenue, also take the time to visit the fairytale Villa Mehmed Kapandji, a historic building that stands out for its Central European architectural elements, such as its elaborate pitched roof and its lofty rectangular tower. Today, Villa Kapandji houses the Cultural Center of the National Bank of Greece in Thessaloniki, so visitors can also marvel at its rich interior decorations. Right beside it, it is possible to see the equally impressive Villa Ahmed Kapandji.

Other sights that can be found along Olgas Avenue include the Folklife and Ethnological Museum in Villa Modiano, and the Yeni Mosque, which strikingly combines features of Islamic architecture with the aesthetics of eclecticism.