In the north of Lesvos, in the settlement of Petra, is the mansion of Vareltzidaina, one of the few examples of the traditional mansion in Lesvos. In the period 1999-2000, restoration work was carried out on the monument in which the general principle of preserving the original elements of the monument was respected.
It is one of the few surviving mansions of the island dating from the late 18th – early 19th century and is an important example of the late Ottoman period of Lesvos. It follows the widespread type of mansion in the area of the wider Balkan peninsula.The building is two-storeyed and its architecture follows the widespread typical layout of manor houses, which were usually built in the center of agricultural estates, enclosed by a precinct.
The ground floor with its stone walls and few openings preserves the fortress character of the towers, corresponding to the older, fortified country houses. On the contrary, the floor is built of light materials with the Baghdadi technique (wooden frame, coated with mud) and consists of a light wooden superstructure that protrudes.
The interior follows the typical layout of the mansions with the two-part structure of the ground floor, while on the first floor all the chambers are arranged around a central hall and are decorated with excellent examples of wood carving (knobs on the ceilings, panels on the doors, complex built-in cabinets, shelves and recesses in the walls), as well as mobile furniture such as coffee tables (low tables), stools and chests. Particularly decorative elements are the wall paintings, excellent examples of folk art with scenes from coastal states, hymns, flower garlands, etc.The mansion functions as a visiting monument, with a media room on the ground floor and information boards about the history of the mansion and the island. On the floor period objects are displayed, donated by Anthis Malliakas – Efstathiadou.
Petra, Lesvos | 81109| 2253041510
E-mail: efales@culture.gr
Website: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=16441