Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia

But what was needed for Ampelakia to write its name in gold letters in the books of history? An inspired initiative, a vision, a decision to cooperate that would forever change the terms of trade. The "Common Company", the cooperative founded by the Ampelakiotes in 1778, to face united competition in the yarn trade (where they excelled with their famous, purple - dyed with the color from the ritsari plant - cotton yarns), is considered to be the first to be founded in the whole world!

With 6,000 members, 24 workshops and 17 branches in Europe, the cooperative was an example of innovation, an early "startup"! Already from 1780 Ampelakia had become rich, a fact that is reflected in the impressive mansions that have been rescued from that era.

The most imposing of all is the Schwartz mansion, which belonged to the president of the cooperative Georgios Mavros, known as Schwartz ("Schwartz" - "Black" in German). The three-story mansion, which took 8 years to build and 3 to paint, is considered one of the most important secular buildings in Greece.

In the area of Ampelakia you will find several more mansions, but the Schwartz mansion remains the top example of traditional architecture of high aesthetics of the 18th century and consists of a ground floor and two floors, with very impressive frescoes depicting "corners" of Constantinople.

Wood is the dominant element both on the ceilings and as a cladding on the walls. As the "architect" of the mansion is mentioned in a model found in the mansion, Ioannis Zerbinos, while the frescoes are the work of L. Lolis. Today this mansion functions as a museum space where the visitor can be transported in time and get an idea of the wealth of another era.