Villa Bianca, Protected mansion on Vassilisis Olgas street, Thessaloniki, Greece
Villa Bianca is a protected mansion on Vassilisis Olgas street in Thessaloniki, Greece. Its exterior is painted white and features asymmetrical balconies, with a design that mixes Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Renaissance elements.
The building was designed between 1911 and 1913 by Italian architect Piero Arrigoni for a merchant from the Sephardic Jewish community of Thessaloniki. It was built during a period when wealthy families in the city commissioned large private homes along Vassilisis Olgas street.
Inside the villa, visitors can see Byzantine icons, prints, and works by Greek artists displayed across several rooms. The building functions as an art gallery today, giving it a public life that contrasts with its origins as a private family home.
The villa sits on Vassilisis Olgas street, which is easy to reach on foot and lined with other historic buildings worth seeing along the way. It is a good idea to check opening hours before visiting, as the gallery inside may not always be accessible without prior arrangement.
The family who commissioned the villa fled to Italy during World War II and did not survive. The building itself remained standing and carries that silent history with it to this day.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
