Benizelos Mansion, Athens

The Benizelos Mansion, Athens’ last-standing konaki – the aristocratic Ottoman-style urban home – is often missed by tourists. Tucked away in the city, this hidden gem somehow dodges the guidebook limelight, but lucky for you, it is open to explore free of charge (although, a little donation is always welcome).

Built in the early 18th century, this two-story, stone-meets-timber residence once belonged to one of Athens' wealthiest families. It wasn’t just a fancy home—it was part of a much larger estate, possibly with a medieval olive press (because what’s a Greek mansion without a little olive oil history?). Today, it stands as a rare glimpse into the architecture of the late Ottoman period.

Inside, an exhibition—available in English and Greek—brings the past to life through visuals, audio, and interactive displays. One of the home’s most famous former residents, Saint Philothei, was a noblewoman-turned-monastic who devoted her life to philanthropy. Her relics now rest in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens—because, naturally, she was too important for just a family portrait on the wall.

Downstairs, the ground floor was all business. Three rooms and a grand portico stored the household essentials: grain, oil, wine—aka survival basics. A well and a wash basin built into the staircase hint at an advanced water system (because even 18th-century aristocrats knew the importance of plumbing).

Upstairs, things got cozy. The main living space revolved around the living quarters and the open corridor, with separate winter and summer rooms. The winter space had a fireplace for those ‘chilly’ Athenian nights, while the summer room featured stained-glass screens for a breezy, sunlit vibe.

But the real highlight is the enclosed balcony on the south façade, overlooking the courtyard garden—a slice of serenity in the middle of modern Athens. With its fine craftsmanship, Ottoman design, and a history full of intrigue, the Benizelos Mansion is more than just an old house—it’s an 18th-century time capsule waiting to be explored. So, why not step inside and let history do the talking?