In Tripoli, a monument to a two-story building in the historic center of the city is threatened with declassification. The question is important not only because it is an extremely interesting building, but also because the State Council issued a decision declaring illegal the old ministerial decision to recognize the building as a protected monument. It is contested whether the conditions laid down in Law 3028/2002 on the protection of cultural heritage are met. The presented justification raises many questions and directly challenges the competent Central Council of New Monuments of the Ministry of the Interior.

This is a house at 23 Taxiarchona Street, in which a marble tablet hangs, on which we read that the playwright and journalist Thodoros N. Synadinos, 1878-1959, was born here (in other biographical reports, the year of birth is 1880). T. N. Synadinos was a personality of the first half of the 20th century who, although he worked in Athens, declared love for his special homeland. After taking a course in journalism at the historical “Acropolis” of Vlasis Gavrielidis (who was his father-in-law) and at “New Greece”, T. N. Synadinos later wrote many plays and was director of the Drama School National Theater and Opera (1945-46, 1950-53) . His case was referred to ELIA.

Initially, this issue was covered by arcadia938.gr and journalist Giorgos Iliopoulos, and also occupied by the municipal council, which, however, did not show any initiative. However, the chairman of the municipal council and architect Panagiotis Kampilaukas spoke out for the need to preserve the building. According to Giorgos Iliopoulos, “the fact that T. N. Sinadinos lives in the said building is disputed by the decision of the Council of State.” He claims that Sinadino’s connection with the building is documented and that the memorial plaque on the facade of the house “was the initiative of his heirs themselves.” The building has fallen into disrepair in recent years. It is located in the central network, very close to other traditional and urban old houses of Tripoli and very close to Agios Vasilios Square, where the historic “Great Cafe” is located.

The risk of declassification of the preserved house of Sinadinos in Tripoli.

The bureaucratic opinion under the law that sets an age limit of 100 years as a supporting criterion for declaring a building, in addition to being sterile, is not contested in this case, despite the contrary opinion of the Council of State. A second autopsy carried out by the Central Board of New Monuments after 2002 (and a new law) confirmed the antiquity of the building and the original appearance that it was built in the second half of the 19th century.

The anger against cultural heritage in many parts of the country is incomprehensible. Particularly in Tripoli, where many remarkable buildings remain, it should be clear (and a point of pride) that historic buildings add value, life and prestige to the city. This special building has many virtues and is a building that contributes to the atmosphere of the city and its historical memory.

Raising this issue is an insult to the memory of T. N. Sinadinos. In a civilized country, they would find a way to restore and highlight all the remarkable buildings of the city.