ΧΑΪΔΑΡΙ ΧΑΪΔΑΡΙ - ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ | Page 215

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The area of the great battle of Chaidari
during the 2nd half of the 19th century:
The Palataki tower
The area of the battle of Chaidari is today occupied by
a castle-like edifice, known as Palataki, which is, along
with its surrounding area, a listed historical place since
1979. Palataki is an example of romantic historism with
neogothic elements. Its basic features are its castle-
like character, slim analogies and the gothic decorative
elements (high-arched windows, terracotta decoration,
embrasures and turrets). It has two stories, a main story
and a semi-underground cooking and auxiliary area. The
largest rooms are dining and reception areas. Ceilings
are painted. The small number of rooms indicates a
country house, a hypothesis corroborated by its long
distance from Athens.
The main building was flanked by auxiliary buildings,
such as stables, guest quarters and olive press. The
central complex of the guest quarters is two-storied. It is
flanked on one side by two single-storied annexes, that
give the whole complex an L shape. The guest quarters
is in neoclassical architectural style. The flower gardens,
palm, fruit and other trees created an idyllic environment.
The villa was part of an estate, the first owner of which
was Chaidar Pasha. C. Vyzantios, fighter in the Chaidari
battles, mentions a fortified estate with a tower, probably
a forerunner of the existing building. The exact date of
the latter but may be placed in the first decades after
the Revolution. Some believe that the French architect
François Boulanger (1807-1875) designed it together with the
Queen’s Tower at Ilion. Both buildings are castle-like and
have corner turrets. Queen Amalia had asked the architect
to follow the Hohenschwangau palace as a prototype,
which belonged to her cousin Maximilian in Schwanstein of
Bavaria. The Queen’s Tower opened in August 1854.
It is also possible that the Chaidari tower was designed
by S. Kleanthis (1802-1862), known from his gothicising
mansions in Athens and Penteli for the Duchesse de
Plaisence and one of the most important representatives
Charles Faviere (1872-1855).
of architectural romanticism in Greece. This hypothesis
further assumes that the Palataki was also commissioned
by Sophie de Marbois (1785-1854), Duchesse de Plaisence.
A legend says that the Duchess used it for her meetings
with the infamous bandit Ntavelis. A final hypothesis
supports that the first owner of the tower was king Otto I.
The edifice then passed to N. Nazos, banker from Tenos,
director of the Athens Odeon and art lover. N. Lytras
and N. Gyzis, famous painters, frequented the place.
They painted the guest quarters and the small church of
Agios Georgios. Georgios Thon, palace steward during
Georgios I was the next owner. He was mainly known
for his villa in Ampelokepoi and placed a marble stela in
honour of Faviere in the Palataki entrance.
Early in the 20th century Palataki passed to the Chiot
ship owner A. Palios and was systematically renovated.
The ceiling paintings date to this period. According to
several historical sources, it was G. Pachys who owned
Palataki in the late 19th – early 20th century. He married to
E. Skouze, daughter of a high standing family and bought
extensive estates from Amphiali to Palataki. His wife is
assumed to have given a reception in Palataki for queen
Olga in 1894. In 1957-1971 Palataki hosted a phsychiatric
clinic, and suffered extensive damages. Today it hosts the
Cultural Centre of the Chaidari Municipality.