A long-abandoned piece of Greek Modernism is getting a second life, and it is the kind of project that puts masonry craftsmanship front and center.
Greece’s Ministry of Culture is proceeding with the restoration and adaptive reuse of the former Xenia of Mycenae, a landmark built as part of the Xenia program developed by the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the 1950s. Rather than reopening as tourist lodging, the building is set to become a modern cultural and visitor space tied closely to the nearby Archaeological Site of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The building, designed in 1951 by architect Kimon Laskaris and completed in the early 1950s, sits about 700 meters from the site of Mycenae and the Treasury of Atreus. The ministry says its location was chosen so it would not block views toward the Acropolis of Mycenae. The two-level structure totals 565 square meters, and the property covers 5,123 square meters. Its architecture is known for polygonal stone masonry paired with clean modernist lines that help it blend into the Argolis landscape.
The building has been unused since the early 1990s and has suffered deterioration from moisture, natural wear, and vandalism. The project calls for complete structural and functional restoration while respecting the original architectural identity. For mason contractors, it is a familiar reminder that when moisture and time go unchecked, the repair scope can grow fast, and the best results come from work that protects the existing fabric instead of erasing it.
Once renovated, the former Xenia will host screenings and presentations of ancient drama productions by the National Theatre of Greece, the National Theatre of Northern Greece, and the Greek National Opera, with themes connected to the House of Atreus and the Mycenaean tradition. A gift shop and cafe operated by the Organization for the Management and Development of Cultural Resources will also be included.
Read the full, original article from Tornos News here.