Old parliament - Vouleytiko

It is one of the few buildings of Turkish architecture that was built in 1730 during the 2nd Turkish domination with isopardy carved masonry. The building is located on Staikopoulou Street (block 152a), just behind the building of the National Bank (formerly Nikitaras residence and later by Kalliopis Papalexopoulou) overlooking Syntagma Square.

The building is situated high on a pedestal and built diagonally with respect to the main east-west and north-south canvas of the urban fabric (picture of Syntagma Square). Inside the space is imposing in height and width and the central, large square prayer hall is covered with a hemispherical dome (which symbolizes the sky).

Initially the building had a patio with three arches covered with domes but after earthquakes at the beginning of the century, it fell. According to Lambrinidis, the building was built from the stones of the Karakalas Monastery, and a passage of entry comes from the treasure of Athena of Mycenae. Loaded bows are reinforced, niches are oriental style and vertical pillars reach the height of two floors. The building bears a modern inscription "ENTATHTHA ELEITOURGISEN THE VOULI OF GREEK 1825 - 1826" COLLECTION. PALMIDIS.

This great mosque was built by Agas Pasas, the richest Agas of Nafplion, to save his soul. According to some testimonies of the time, two young people from Venice had a topographical profile from their ancestors during the 2nd Venetian domination, according to which there was treasure of inestimable value in an underground crypt at the site where the Aghão Palace had been built.

Explaining to Aga the story was led to the crypt. Agas, dazzled by the treasure and wanting to appropriate him, killed the Venetians. But with remorse from this act, he decided to build this religious building whose value would be the same as that of the treasure.

Later after the Hellenic Revolution, a decree was ordered to be repaired by Th. Valliano to house the First House of the Greeks (Parliamentary): "There was talk of a house of remorse for the Assemblies of the Parliament, and the mosque called Aga Pasha was approved and Because this needs some repair, the Second Dear Gikas Karatzanis, Ioannis Kontoumas and Spyridon Trikoupis were appointed to inspect his correction. It was also approved that the Executive should be called upon to order the Ministry of the Economy to give the money needed for the correction. "

As it appears, the Members' visit to their building convinced that this building was the most suitable to accommodate their meetings due to its good position and size. However, due to the poor financial situation of the Greek government, it was not possible to repair the building quickly, and so on 14 October 1824 it was stated:

This great mosque was built by Agas Pasas, the richest Agas of Nafplion, to save his soul. According to some testimonies of the time, two young people from Venice had a topographical profile from their ancestors during the 2nd Venetian domination, according to which there was treasure of inestimable value in an underground crypt at the site where the Aghão Palace had been built.

Explaining to Aga the story was led to the crypt. Agas, dazzled by the treasure and wanting to appropriate him, killed the Venetians. But with remorse from this act, he decided to build this religious building whose value would be the same as that of the treasure.

Later after the Hellenic Revolution, a decree was ordered to be repaired by Th. Valliano to house the First House of the Greeks (Parliamentary): "There was talk of a house of remorse for the Assemblies of the Parliament, and the mosque called Aga Pasha was approved and Because this needs some repair, the Second Dear Gikas Karatzanis, Ioannis Kontoumas and Spyridon Trikoupis were appointed to inspect his correction. It was also approved that the Executive should be called upon to order the Ministry of the Economy to give the money needed for the correction. "

As it appears, the Members' visit to their building convinced that this building was the most suitable to accommodate their meetings due to its good position and size. However, due to the poor financial situation of the Greek government, it was not possible to repair the building quickly, and so on 14 October 1824 it was stated:

"... to appoint the house that had been decided for Mr Varvakin, a provisional parliament" apparently because the building did not serve the needs of its use (inadequate space), with a call to make repairs to the original building (Aga Pasha's house) To house Parliament. According to this decision, the Executive began the necessary procedures to transform the Mosque into a Parliamentary House, and on March 12, 1825, the construction work was signed.

The inauguration of the new Parliament was held on September 21, 1825, and descriptions are given in the Greek General Gazette: "... is the brightest and most beautiful public building today in Greece. It has spacious room through the MP and two series of seats by listening above the area ... "and from the published articles on the internal Rules of the Parliament.

In this building was the famous trial of Kolokotronis, which resulted in his death sentence, together with Platouta.

Later in the Capodistrian era (1831) the building was granted by the Governor for housing schools, calling it the most suitable for this use. Thus, on 1 April of the same year, the "Hellenic" Nafplion began to operate in the parliamentary premises.

Despite the fact that it was distinctive for its spacious spaces, it did not do for school because of the shape of the room, its cover with a dome that creates sound problems, the shape of the ect. But the fact that just below school, the venue served as a prison, was criticized negatively by the press. The school has been in this building for six months.

In the occupation period (1940) it was used as a prison. Until the beginning of the 1990s, the National Conservatory was housed. Today, and after repairs to which the building was subjected, it is a Conference Center (lectures, workshops, seminars, etc.).

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