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2010-2013

Monument Architectural and Restoration Survey

 

 

WORKING GROUP

Emilio Bendermacher - Geroussis (Architect Engineer), Ifigenia Dimitriou (Architect Engineer)

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Cephalonia is the largest of the seven islands of the Ionian Sea. The Vallianos family is among the oldest known families of Cephalonia with an uninterrupted presence on the island since the 16th century. Starting as a poor family from the village of Kerameies in Cephalonia, in the early 19th century, members of the family travelled around the world seeking their fortune. Their continuous donations in Greece, and particularly in Cephalonia, established them amongst the greatest benefactors of their island.

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The “Vallianos Family” Mansion in the central square of the village of Kerameies was built in the first decade of the 20th century under the instructions of Michalis Vallianos. He lived in the house until 1939. During the first years of WW II the house was occupied by Italian soldiers and in 1953 it was abandoned due to the strong earthquakes  but was not completely destroyed. The heirs then gradually donated their share to the Municipality to house Public Library. The listed building, known to locals of the island as the “Vallianos Family Mansion”, is a typical example of a mansion of the “pre-earthquake” period in the countryside of Cephalonia. 

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The Mansion Restoration Proposal entailed firstly, the Restoration of the Monument in order to highlight the building’s values and, secondly, its re-opening as a Public Library, to cover the needs of the local population for lifelong learning. The restoration and re-opening of the mansion as a Public Library, which will serve as an open library with more than 5,000 printed books, is the vision of a group of active citizens of Cephalonia.

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