House with the Karyatids, Neoclassical house in Psyri, Athens, Greece

The House with the Karyatids is a two-storey neoclassical house at 45 Agion Asomaton Street in Psyri, Athens. Its facade balcony is supported by two sculpted Karyatids with crossed arms, standing on square bases instead of feet. They were restored to their white colour in 2001.

The house was built in the late 19th century as a typical example of Athenian neoclassicism and the popular architecture of Psyrri. Its facade Caryatids were carved by the Aeginetan sculptor Ioannis Karakatsanis, who trained under Leonidas Drosis and lived here with his family. After his death in 1906 the family sold the house; it was listed as protected in 1989 and renovated under architect Stefanos Pantos-Kikkos, and today it houses the Association of Greek Olympians.

The two karyatids on the balcony are portraits: the sculptor Ioannis Karakatsanis modelled them on his wife Xanthi and her sister Evdoxia. A local barber, Panagiotis Kritikakos, spread a tale that they commemorated two daughters who died young; in fact both women lived into 1949 and 1950. The ground floor once held his barbershop and now houses the Institute of Greek Mills.

The building sits in the Psyri neighborhood, which is easy to reach by public transportation and near other sights worth visiting. You can view the facade from the street, making it a simple and free stop during your walk through the area.

The two karyatids on the balcony are portraits: the models were the sculptor's wife Xanthi and her sister Evdoxia. Their arms are crossed rather than hanging free, and a square base replaces their lower legs. A barber once spread a false tale that they commemorated the owner's daughters, but both women lived until 1949 and 1950.