A journey back to the 18th and 19th centuries
As you approach Hydra port by sea, you will immediately notice the historic buildings that reflect the island’s maritime and commercial prosperity in the 18th and 19th centuries. They stand out for both their grandeur and their austerity, and are admired by locals and visitors alike for their architecture. They were built by distinguished shipowners whose names are inextricably linked with Greek history. Many of them had converted their merchant vessels into warships in support of the War of Independence.
Over the years, these buildings acquired a different life, either as historic museums or as accommodation venues.
On the eastern side of the port, you will see the mansion of Lazaros Tsamados, which houses the Hydra Merchant Marine Academy, founded in 1749. Next to it, the Kriezis Mansion is now used as a nursing home.
A short distance away, above the waterfront, stands the residence of Lazaros Kountouriotis, which operates as an annexe of the National Historical Museum. Opposite, on the pine-clad hill, the mansion of Georgios Kountouriotis dominates the landscape and now houses the Museum of Post-Byzantine Art and History.
On the western side of the town, the mansions of Tompazis and Voulgaris continue to stand proudly against time. Admiral Tompazis’s mansion has belonged to the Athens School of Fine Arts since 1936 and operates as one of its branches. The mansion of Fragkiskos Voulgaris has been restored and now operates as visitor accommodation under the name Villa Hydrea, preserving features such as carved wooden ceilings and oil paintings with maritime themes.
Walk through Hydra and discover, through its mansions, the history of a place inseparably linked with the sea and freedom.
Over the years, these buildings acquired a different life, either as historic museums or as accommodation venues.
On the eastern side of the port, you will see the mansion of Lazaros Tsamados, which houses the Hydra Merchant Marine Academy, founded in 1749. Next to it, the Kriezis Mansion is now used as a nursing home.
A short distance away, above the waterfront, stands the residence of Lazaros Kountouriotis, which operates as an annexe of the National Historical Museum. Opposite, on the pine-clad hill, the mansion of Georgios Kountouriotis dominates the landscape and now houses the Museum of Post-Byzantine Art and History.
On the western side of the town, the mansions of Tompazis and Voulgaris continue to stand proudly against time. Admiral Tompazis’s mansion has belonged to the Athens School of Fine Arts since 1936 and operates as one of its branches. The mansion of Fragkiskos Voulgaris has been restored and now operates as visitor accommodation under the name Villa Hydrea, preserving features such as carved wooden ceilings and oil paintings with maritime themes.
Walk through Hydra and discover, through its mansions, the history of a place inseparably linked with the sea and freedom.
