Mansion Hatzipanayiotis
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The story of the Mansion dates back many centuries. The building has taken its name after the outstanding ship-owner Kostas Hatzipanayiotis &ුPolitis&, a great personality of navigation before revolution. The Hatzipanayiotis family offered much to the Fight for Liberation in 1821. At this point, it is also worth mentioning K.N. Hatzipanayiotis who served as Member of Parliament for Kynouria and Mayor of Limneos, the capital city of which was Leonidio. Through the family¢s manuscripts we can see that Hatzipanayiotis Mansion hosted some great personalities. One of them was King Otto, when he visited &Tsakonia& in 1844.
Hatzipanayiotis¢ Mansion was affectionately renovated by craftsmen with enthusiasm and respect. It is surrounded by high stone walls which stress its authenticity and it stands as a fortress in the centre of Leonidio. From the entrance- a magnificent wooden door with stone dome-we can see the strictly rectangular shape of the mansion and the traditional wooden roof which was reconstructed with Byzantine type tiles. The pebble-paved yard is equally impressive and the garden is full of beautiful flowers such as gerania, honeysuckles, pansies, jasmines and frangipanis.
The ground floor and the first floor have independent entrances but they communicate externally with a stone staircase which is based on domes and arches of great magnificence. In that way we can observe the beautiful &chagiatia& &ුbalconies&, the elaborate chimneys, the lintels of the windows with the stone arcs and the stone coves.
The seamlessly constructed inner spaces, the painted ceiling and the wonderful, spiral, wooden staircases-which reminiscent more of jewelry than of architectural structures- create an intimate atmosphere and transport visitors in a romantic period.
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