Ziller-Loverdos Mansion in Athens to Open Doors as Museum

The historic Ziller-Loverdos Mansion, located near the center of Athens, will reopen its doors as a museum at the end of April.

Built in 1882, the mansion was the residence of German architect Ernst Ziller. The building combines elements of ancient architecture with 19th century European trends. Its facade is adorned with Caryatid heads, while its indoor areas feature high-quality decorative elements, murals, ceiling paintings, fireplaces and a wooden-carved staircase that leads to the upper floor.

It was bought in 1912 by banker Dionysios Loverdos and donated to the Greek state by his daughters Maria Loverdou and Ioanna Vassiliadi in 1979 and 1992 respectively.

“The Ziller-Loverdou Mansion is an architectural jewel for Athens. It is a building featuring many unique details – indicative of Ziller’s architectural signature. It was left abandoned for many years but has been restored, and is ready to welcome the significant Loverdos collection, and open its doors to the public,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

The mansion’s restoration and maintenance works were carried out by Culture Ministry’s Directorates for the Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments.

Furthermore, the Byzantine and Christian Museum has made the necessary preparations for the transfer and display of the Loverdos collection, which consists of icons of the Cretan and Heptanese Schools as well as antiquities, wooden sculptures and more.

According to Mendoni, the reopening of the Ziller – Loverdos Mansion will act as an “upgrading factor for the center of Athens”.