Panaitolio

Several years ago, with the establishment of the Spiritual Centre of the Municipality of Nea Ionia as a legal entity under public law, efforts were made to acquire visual works that would frame the Municipal Art Gallery, as well as to create a suitable space to house them. The main concern of all those involved was that the world should know, accept, love and understand the value of the visual arts as a whole. In this effort, the artistic creators of the city as well as the artistic staff working in the Municipality have contributed significantly with their artistic training, experience, passion and love for art. The digital recording and publication of the visual works in the Municipal Gallery's collection is part of the framework for highlighting and exploiting the artistic potential of Nea Ionia. The 'Panaitolio' building, which houses the collection, was built around 1930 in the area of Alsoupoli in Nea Ionia. At that time, Alsoupoli was a vast pine forest. The square of Panaitolio is located at the most central point of the urban unit of Alsoupoli. In 1989, the building and its surroundings were declared a historical monument by the Ministry of Culture. In 1988, the building was expropriated by the Municipality of Nea Ionia, with the main funding coming from the Ministry of Culture, as it was in a state of serious disrepair. It was later restored and modernised as a space and functioned as a cultural centre for related activities of the Municipality. It was inaugurated in 1997 on the occasion of the twinning of the Municipality of Nea Ionia with Martina Franca, Italy. The Panaitolio is now configured as an artistic multi-space, where exhibitions of painting, sculpture, hagiography, photography, book presentations, lectures, etc. are held. At the same time, it houses the painting classes of the Culture, Sports and Youth Organisation, as well as the Art Gallery of the Municipality of Nea Ionia, with drawings, mainly acquired through donations from artists, which are hosted in the premises from time to time. Finally, its garden has been transformed into a playground and recreational park.