Guesthouse
 |
 |
 |
 |
The building complex comprises two buildings: the first is a two-storeyed building, constructed in 1894, under the period of Ottoman rule, as is attested by an inscription found in the pebbled floor of the ground floor, in front of the entrance. The addition has been erected next to this building during the years 1920-1925, under the Italian rule.
The first building served as the residence of a Turkish officer. Together with the later addition, it was used by the Italians as their Admiralty, because of the view it affords to the sea.
During the British military administration of Rhodes (1945-1947), it was also used as an Admiralty and for this reason has remained in the memory of the Rhodians as the "English Admiralty".
After the Dodecanese islands gained independence, the building was abandoned and became derelict. Homeless families found refuge there from time to time.
It is comprised of two storeys. The older, neo-classical building has a corridor, along both sides of which adjacent rooms are symmetrically positioned. To the south, deep into the building, there is a grand staircase that leads to the first floor that typologically, has almost the same plan as the ground floor.
The second building (the addition) has a wide corridor with rooms and facilities on both sides.
In terms of morphology, the older building is of special interest. The entrance to the courtyard has two columns, upon whose capitals lies a horizontal beam with eaves and sculptured zones. The courtyard and the entrance of the building both have pebbled floors. There are four columns incorporated in the walls of all four corners. There is an arched colonnade (semi-enclosed space) at the entrance. Above this (on the first floor) there is a wooden, glass-enclosed balcony that is divided into smaller surfaces by wooden panes "kaitia". These dividers have simple coloured or plane glass windows. Underneath the glass balcony there are parapets with wooden mirrors "tamblades". The protruding balcony, found in the eastern section of the first floor, has a similar composition. Decorative iron gun carriages, "fourousia", support this balcony. The entrance door has a fine iron gate. The windows have been placed symmetrically and rhythmically along ordinary and equal spaces and they have French type shutters and venetian blinds. Exteriorly, there are protruding frames that bound them. The interior doors are panelled, the staircases and the floors are wooden and there are two divider glass partitions that enclose and isolate the staircase to the ground floor and the first floor. The exterior walls are coloured with yellow and red ochre. Behind and above the parapet of the first floor, that has sculptured zones, is located the wooden roof with French type tiles.
The second building, which is a later addition, does not have any special characteristics. It is morphologically neutral, so that it neither participates nor does it relegate the older building as a secondary one.
This building was restored in 1996-1997 with funding from the Municipality of Rhodes, that exceeded 120.000.000 drachmas. The restoration of the first building that began in the year 2000 is continuing with funding of 400.000.000 drachmas, provided by the Ministry of Culture when Mrs. Elizabeth Papazoe was minister.
After the completion of its renovation, to be completed during 2001, the older building will house all the Centre's services, that is a library for the needs of writers and translators, a multi-use auditorium, study rooms etc. The other building will be used for accommodation purposes. All rooms will provide the necessary equipment for Internet access.
