The "Konakia" of Farsala

The word “konaki” derives from the Turkish word konak, which originally meant a lodging and eventually came to refer to the houses of the landowners—that is, the owners of vast agricultural estates. These konakia were built within the estates, usually in prominent locations, and were surrounded by auxiliary buildings and the residences of the sharecroppers.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the system of estates flourished particularly in Thessaly due to the region’s geomorphology. After the liberation of Thessaly in 1881, these lands passed into the hands of Greek urbanites, and the architecture of the konakia was enriched with neoclassical elements, reflecting the spirit and ambitions of the emerging Greek society.

The Harokopos (Kyzeridis) Konaki in Polyneri

One of the best-preserved konakia in the region is the Harokopos Konaki, currently owned by professor and diplomat Dr. Panagiotis Kyzeridis, in the village of Polyneri, in the western part of the Municipality of Farsala. This imposing three-storey mansion, built in a neoclassical style with Tuscan influences, is an outstanding example of an estate house and has been designated a listed monument since 1999.

According to tradition, its history begins in 1485, when it was likely erected by Venetian architects. Over time, it passed into the hands of Ottoman beys, and after the liberation, it came into the possession of the wealthy Greek expatriate Gerasimos Harokopos, who acquired a series of estates in the Thessalian plain. In the following decades, the mansion changed hands several times, including to the well-known Pantos family from Volos.

The mansion dominates an area of about 70 stremmas (roughly 17 acres), surrounded by a stone-built enclosure and accompanied by warehouses, stables, gardens, and auxiliary houses. In its recent restoration, characteristic architectural features were preserved, such as the stone central gate with carved decorations and the tower-like “koulia” from which the overseer supervised the workers’ labor.

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The Vasileiou (Platsi) Konaki in Palaiomylos

A little further east, in Palaiomylos of Farsala, stands the Vasileiou (or Platsi) Konaki—an equally characteristic example of rural architecture from the early 20th century. Although it has been declared a listed monument, the konaki is in poor condition, abandoned for over six decades.

This two-storey structure, built entirely of stone masonry, stands out for its portico at the entrance and the small balcony on the first floor. The triangular pediment on the roof, the dentil moldings around the openings, and the strong contrast of materials give the building a unique character.

Unfortunately, all the auxiliary buildings that once accompanied the mansion have been lost, but the atmosphere of the site still bears witness to the grandeur of another era.