German architect Ernest Ziller left its mark on the city's temples Aigio. Based on his plans, the church of Panagia Faneromeni and the Temple of Holly Mary, were built. There are many classic buildings that reflect the construction boom of Aigio city during the years of raisin production and marketing.
The municipal market which today houses the Archaeological Museum and Panagiotopoulos Mansion, are just a few buildings of perfect aesthetic and architectural value. Also, the twelve-headed fountain with at the Aigio's seaside deserves your admiration. Behind this lies the plane tree of Pausanias.
Most important buildings are listed bellow:
- Panagiotopoulos Mansion, is a large three-story neoclassical building of
1857-1860 built by Panagiotis Kalkos. The interior offers beautiful, Pompeian style, frescos on all walls and ceilings. It is located at the junction of Cathedral and Panagiotopoulos.
- The Archaeological Museum, (Old Public Market, a work of Ernst Ziller, built in 1890), was
for decades the central city market. Given the asymmetry of the land the he sought a free architectural design, abandoning strict symmetry. Particular elements of the building are the main entrance with pediment, the tower in the corner, the coffers of the cornice and the painted decoration on the panels of the upper facade. It operated as a public market until the late 70s when it was abandoned. Today, after restoration by the Ministry of Culture, which highlighted the architectural wealth, it houses the Archaeological Museum of Aigio, which presents artifacts of the region, starting from the Neolithic period, reaching up to the Hellenistic period.
- The Municipal Hall, built in the late 19th century, was originally used as a residence and later on it housed a branch of the National Bank, the
government of the Italian occupation forces in the period 1941-1943 and the also the Police. During 1983-1985 it was restored and now it houses the City Hall of Aigio, forming an important architectural monument.
- The Tower of Ipsila Alonia, (neo-gothic building of 1900)
- The old Hospital, (currently a cultural center),
- Η Δημοτική Βιβλιοθήκη (Παλαιό Γυμνάσιο), χτίστηκε στα τέλη του 19ου αιώνα και είναι ένα από τα σημαντικότερα δημόσια κτίρια της πόλης. Έχει νεοκλασικό ύφος και διακρίνεται για την αρμονία και την συμμετρία στις αναλογίες του, με κλασικό σχεδιασμό της τριμερούς κυρίας όψης, της οποίας η αετωματική επίστεψη στους πλάγιους άξονες προσδίδει μνημειακό χαρακτήρα.
- The Public Library (Old Gymnasium School), built in the late 19th century and is one of the most important public buildings of the city. It has a classic
style and is distinguished for its harmony and proportional symmetry with the classic design of the main side, whith a pediment crowning the oblique lines.
- The building of Gateios legacy, (today serves as a Post Office, a project of Ernst Ziller aslo, with Baroque clay decorations in the interior of the second floor, built during 1910).
- Chrysanthopoulos mansion, (at Agious Apostolous, a stone residence since the Ottoman occupation).
- The Messinezis mansion (street Despotopoulou), is one of the first neoclassical mansions built in Aigio during the post-revolution early years. In 1833, the house hosted King Othonas, when he visited Aigio, but also it hosted a branch of the Postal Savings Bank, and during the period 1971-1985 it served as a Town Hall. Today, it has been restored and is the architectural jewel of Aigio city.
- Iliopoulos villa, at dexameni,
- Panagia Phaneromeni is the cathedral of Aigio and it was built upon the older temple which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1861. The church
is cruciform with a dome, is the work of architect Ernst Ziller and combines new-romance style with Byzantine style. The interior is decorated with paintings of artist Constantine Fanelis and is a unique monument of great religious and artistic value.
- The church of Virgin Mary of Aigio, built in 1893 and was designed by architect Ernst Ziller. It is cruciform with a dome and combines neoromantiko the Byzantine style. Particular morphological elements are the pottery decoration at the base of the dome and cornices of the roof. The temples' entrance is one of the most important monuments of Aigio and it will be restored by the Ministry of Culture, as it has suffered deterioration and damage from the earthquake of 1995.
- Church of Panagia Tripiti (Zoodochou Pigis), patron saint of Aigio, is built on a rock overlooking the harbor in a slope that separates upper and down town, exactly at
the point where according to tradition, a castaway found in a rocky hole in 1650, the image of Virgin Mary, which is attributed by Evangelist Luke. The church is two-storey, with neo-classical style with eclectic tendencies, which took form in the second half of the 19th century. Unique architectural feature is the double-wide marble, leading to the temple, which was completed in 1870.
and many otherover fifty private buildings, at Eisodion, Saint Andreas, Andreas Londos and Despotopoulou streets and elsewhere.
Source: http://el.wikipedia.org
