“Kokkinos Pyrgos” mansion is a hangout for drug addicts and crab collectors (photo + vid)
The image of the building, described as a work of art, is heartbreaking – It has been turned into a center for drug use and illegal activities
THE “Red Tower»In Vasilissis Olgas Street, in eastern Thessaloniki, is one of the last scattered imposing buildings of Thessaloniki with its history being lost in end of 18ου century.
Its incomparable architecture, as well as the other buildings of the famous “District of the Countryside”testifies to the financial strength of its owners, but also the image of a cosmopolitan Thessaloniki.
The “Red Tower” with the characteristic red bricks, as well as other monuments, witnesses of the history and cultural heritage of the city, has sunk to the end of abandonment and devaluation.
The picture he has been presenting for years is heartbreaking at risk even its complete collapse. Empty windows and doors, broken bricks and remnants of burnt wood and objects from the big fire that broke out inside, in 2017.
A huge ivy that spreads on the outside of the two Towers, takes care to cover the signs of decline of the other mansion.
The plot, which is issued by V. Olgas and reaches Antheon, has been turned into a garbage dump.
The buildings from crayfish collectors and drug addicts, who, in fact, as seen in her video Voria.grhave put and their own padlocks both at the outer gate and at the door of a Tower, in order to enter and exit as if it were their own property.
In addition to a living space, they have turned a designated monument and at the same time a work of art into a center for drug use and illegal activities.
The stench of dirt and rodents circulating has turned the mansion into a hotbed of contamination, with locals frequently calling the police and relevant services.
The causes of decline
“The Red Tower” was built around the end of 18ου century in drawings by Frederick Sarno. A part of it was bought by the then great merchant and later donor and benefactor Dimitris Ioannidis of Siatisteoswho grew his business in the second half of 19ου century.
It is said that the wealthy businessman from Western Macedonia bought a part of the Tower for her sake. Happinesswho was his wife, and for this reason he got the nickname Chateau Mon Bonheur the “Tower of Happiness”.
THE Dimitris Ioannidis, who passed away in his early 20sού century, he left a part of his property, as he was unmarried, to his wife and the other he left as a trust for the creation of an institution, which was his last wish, which had a charitable purpose.
The financial support will be directed to the gifted girls, who at that time could not get married if they did not have them, to study worthy young children and to support people who found themselves in difficulty and survival problems.
The Tower, like other properties owned by the businessman, passed under his roof. “Ioannidou Foundation”, in order for the Foundation to have income from their commercial exploitation – when later during the reconstruction of Thessaloniki they were given compensation and became apartments – to continue its benefits and donations, as the benefactor wanted.
The ones of the “Red Tower”, which by problems 50% belongs to the “Ioannideio Foundation” and the rest to individuals who own a smaller percentage, essentially start when the 1983 the Ephorate of Modern Monuments characterizes the building as a protected monument and at the same time as a work of art due to its great artistic value.
According to the President of the “Ioannidi Foundation” Mr. Giannis Sfendoniwho spoke to Voria.grwith the characterization of the “Red Tower” as a protected monument and work of art, it is, as he emphasizes, as if the state “confiscates” an asset, explaining that the bureaucracy is so large that one can use a building which he’s got. characterized as a protected and at the same time a work of art that essentially looks like you are no longer its owner.
“It is yours, without being yours σαι You are deprived of your property”, Mr. Sfendonis characteristically points out, saying that the state does not give money so that it can buy it and use it.
Mr. Sfendoni notes that the Foundation, in an effort to save the invaluable building of cultural significance from decay and looting, tried to describe the plot, but even this action “climbed” the gears of the laws that govern both listed buildings. characterized as works of art as well as in the urban planning of the municipality of Thessaloniki.
He emphasizes that the Foundation submitted studies for the construction of a fence to the Ephorate of Modern Monuments, which finally, after many procedures, after making the relevant remarks, approved the relevant permit “provided it is not prohibited by another service».
The next reef came from the town planning of the municipality of Thessaloniki. When the Foundation addressed the services, it received a refusal as, as Mr. Sfendonis reports, they were told that it is not possible to fence a public space, which is none other than the street. Kimonos Boga, a part of which crosses the plot of the Towers.
Basically this part may have been removed but in practice in the plan it looks a lot like a road, so it can not be fenced.
The president of the Ioannid Foundation “emphasizes that in addition to the bureaucracy, he also has to deal with the police as the locals – and rightly so as he says – are protesting against the situation created by the crayfish collectors and drug addicts and are making complaints against the owners.
The police in turn call on them to apologize, a file is formed which in turn is forwarded to the prosecutor’s office, and after the necessary explanations are given it is entered in the file, with the story as Mr. Sfendonis says being repeated from time to time.
According to the president of the Foundation, many efforts have been made in recent years and many harassments to the respective municipal authorities without finding a solution so that at least the plot is fenced.
He points out that if a fence could be placed, so that no criminal elements could enter the area, the Foundation, at its own expense, would do some work for the maintenance of the building and at the same time would call on the state to find resources to restore it. does. take advantage. Besides, as Mr. Sfendonis says, there is a relevant legislation according to which when a building is characterized as a work of art, the state has the obligation to undertake the relevant expenses for its maintenance.