The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios is located in Nicosia and is considered as a significant example of urban architecture of the last century of Ottoman domination. It can be found very close the Archbishopric, in the neighbourhood of Saint Antonios, where the wealthy notables of the Greek community traditionally used to live.

Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios was the official interpreter for the Divan (Council) of the Sultan for thirty years from 1779, holding the title of a dragoman. Back then, the title of the dragoman was one of the most important titles local Christians could be given by the Ottoman authorities. People who held this title acted as interpreters between the Christians and the Ottoman governor.

The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios is a two-storey building and was built during 1793. Inside the entrance of the house, on a tablet of marble the monogram of the owner and the date of its erection can be seen. The house architecture plan is in the form of a Greek “Π” and surrounds a central garden with a fountain and a Hammam (private bathhouse) which has three rooms. The servants’ accommodation and the kitchen of the house was at the ground floor. A wooden roof stairway with a stone base leads to the first floor from the garden.

The official reception area and the other rooms communicated with the reception. The reception room (the onda) which was at the end of the east wind was different compared to the other rooms. What makes it differ is the excellent wood carvers, the gold plated and painted decoration which resemble the official reception rooms that can be found in various mansions of the Ottoman Empire. The current furnishing of the house dates back to the end of the 19th to early 20th century but that is not the original one.

The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios was awarded the Europa Nostra prize for its exemplary renovation work and now functions as a museum, and is the place which houses the Cyprus Ethnological Museum.

The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios photos: 
The House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios location map: 

Nearby Places and things to do (within 5 km radius)

Gourri Village

Gourri is a community of the Nicosia District in Nicosia, Cyprus. According to the inventory in 2001 it has 225 residents. History Th...

Palaichori Village

Palaichori or Paleochori is a village in the geographical district of Pitsilia in Cyprus and is made up of two communities and two councils,...

Agia Eirini

Agia Eirini is a beautiful small village in the Nicosia district and It is built in the southern end and at the same time the tall...

Cyprus Cultural Centre

The Cyprus Cultural Centre was created in 2005 by decision of the Cabinet. The Board was appointed by the Republic of Cyprus in 2005 and the...

Academy Picnic Site

The Academy Picnic site is located 6 kilometres from the Nicosia centre, at the National Forest of the Pedagogy Academy. Altitude: 140 me...

Music Information Centre

The Music information centre is located in the town of Nicosia. In July 2000 the Ministry Board decided that the creation of a Music informa...

Pages