Let's have a quick look at its history:
Villa Calavrenzo was built in 1900 (like a plaque on its front wall suggest) by the rich Konstantinos Calavrenzo. Calavrenzo is said to had been of south italian origin (from the province of Calabria in the southernwestern side of the italian peninsula). It boasted an innovative for its times mechanical system which lifted the food cooked in the kitchen from the ground floor to the upper floors.
In 1916, during the short lived french occupation, the villa housed the headquarters of general De Mondesir.
After WWI, the villa was the home of Georgios Calavrenzo, son of Konstantinos, which lived there until his death in 1965. After his death, the building was left unoccupied but the people, even nowadays, call the neighbouring area "Kalavrentzou" after the owner of the villa.
The front of the villa, notice the "for sale" sign
The plague right next to the gate which it could read: "Villa Calavrenzo"
The plague which reads "ETOΣ 1900" ("YEAR 1900") was left to fade like the rest of the building
Various images of the Villa Calavrenzo
Don't you think that this is a lovely building? Would you like to see it gone away forever?
Something should be done to persuade the new owners not to tear it down and renovate it to its former glory. Also, the local goverment should list this edifice like a protected building like all those already protected ones in various parts of the island.
1 comment:
Very informative article, even if I'm from Corfu island as well, I didn't know the history of this garage. I also believe that its a matter of time to build a new building in this area as you say too.
Post a Comment