The most complete information guide about Athens, Greece
Poulopoulos Old
Hat Factory
Poulopoulos is an industrial building with very interesting and
evident stonework, simple and strict arrangement of morphologic
elements on the facets and the tile-covered roof. The stonework
is interrupted by stone false-columns and the use of iron on the
facets is characteristic. Its ground plan is trapezoid and its
entrance is placed on the lateral side of the trapezium.
It
served as a hat factory for a long period and it is connected
to the life of the local community, consisting a significant
place of reference for the area of Thissio. By a ministerial
decree of 1985, the building is preserved as a monuments as
it is considered to be a remarkable sample of industrial architecture.
The building has been completely restored to serve as a multi-purpose
cultural center.
In
1886, Ilias Poulopoulos founded the Ellinikon Pilopieon (Hellenic
Hattery) one of the most successful Greek businesses. A draper
from Kalamata, he arrived in Athens intent on becoming an
industrialist. The factory that he built at Thissio was already
fully equipped by 1900 and the hats he manufactured won international
prizes.
The
business continued to function until the middle of the 20th century
in the same stone building on Herakleidon Street. Only a small
portion of the original building has survived but was restored
to its original form and belongs to the Cultural Organization
of the Municipality of Athens.