Athens Announces Tender for the Renovation of Maria Callas’ Home

Photo source: Municipality of Athens

Following the announcement that the former Athens home of Maria Callas, one of the world’s greatest opera stars, will be renovated and converted into the Academy of Lyric Art Maria Callas, the Municipality of Athens published a tender notice for the project setting September 12, 2023 (10am) as the submission deadline.

Plans for the project were presented to the press late last year by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis and Academy of Lyric Art Maria Callas President Vaso Papantoniou.

The renovation of Callas’ four-storey neoclassical home located on Patission St is budgeted at 6.8 million euros and will be overseen by Anaplasi SA. More information here.

The Maria Callas Athens House on Patission St. Photo source: Municipality of Athens.

Interior of former Athens home of Maria Callas. Photo source: Municipality of Athens

Interior of former Athens home of Maria Callas. Photo source: Municipality of Athens

“Athens must safeguard its most beautiful buildings, such as this special architectural jewel in which Maria Callas spent her childhood years. We want to give these [buildings] a new lease of life so that they can open their doors once again and become accessible to all Athenians,” said Bakoyannis.

“Maria Callas’ home will shine again, offering haven to the Academy and to the dreams of all those who love lyrical art,” he added.

Also commenting on the news, Papantoniou said it was a “historic moment”, paving the way for the home of Maria Callas to find its identity again as a “gift 100 years since her birth.”

Photo source: Municipality of Athens

The project is scheduled to be completed in two years’ time from the finalization of the tender and includes the restoration of the building’s facade, roof and interiors. It will be fully accessible to people with disabilities.

The great Geek soprano lived in the house on Patission St from 1937 to 1945. The Academy of Lyric Art Maria Callas is a non-profit organization that will  offer university-level music education in lyric opera.