Street names in cities often seem to exist only to guide lost travelers, however the story behind street names reveals a past that reflects their true meaning as well as the history of the city itself.
Street names give character and life to the place they refer to and often serve the meaning of a historical landmark for a city. They reveal the politics, culture and ideologies of cities and also provide a common language for the city and its inhabitants.
The placement of 450 smart street name signs with historical information using QR-Code and NFC (Near Field Communication) labels in the historical center of the city is an initiative of the Municipality of Thessaloniki and D. MASOUTIS SA.
D. MASOUTIS SA in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility and its active presence in Thessaloniki wishes to express its interest in the city and the citizens by donating all the necessary equipment for the study, design, construction and placement of the smart street name signs in order to facilitate residents and visitors.
The purpose of this is first to have the needful street signage in the city, for residents and visitors and then to get familiar with the history of the streets we pass every day.
Kindly supported by
Petros Papageorgiou was born in 1859 in Thessaloniki and died in Athens in 1914. He was a philologist and High School Principal in several cities. He dealt with the critical review of ancient tragic writers, epigraphy, the preservation of archaeological wealth and the promotion of the historical past of Thessaloniki.
The street was named after the adjacent Holy Church of Panagia Dexia. The church was founded in the 50s and it was built on the location of the old church of Agios Ypatios. The church, where the icon of Panagia Eleousa is guarded, celebrates on 21 of November, on the anniversary of the Presentation of
Kostis Palamas was born in Patras in 1859 and died in Athens in 1943. He was a poet, novelist and playwright. In 1926, he became member of the Athens Academy and in 1930 its President. His funeral took the form of resistance. His writings had such an appeal that he has been proclaimed national poet,
Konstantinos XI Palaiologos was born in 1405 and he was the last Byzantine Emperor (1449-1453). He fought heroically and he was killed fighting against the Ottoman troops during the Fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453.
Georgakis Olympios (1772-1821) was an armatolos at Livadi, Olympus and initiated in Filiki Eteria. He took part in the Serbian Revolution and the Revolution of Moldavia and Wallachia with Alexandros Ypsilantis, where he was killed fighting.
Theodoros Orfanidis was born in Smyrna in 1817 and died in Athens in 1886. He was a reputable botanist, professor and Dean at the University of Athens and member of the 2nd National Assembly. The famous Garden of Orfanidis, where he was cultivating plants of various species, was at the entrance of Zappeion. He was
Elias Oplopoios was born in Ortakoy of Adrianoupolis (Edirne) and he died in 1954 in Thessaloniki, where he settled in 1915. He studied Law at the University of Athens and he was a customs agent and President of the relevant Association. He was elected City Councillor of Thessaloniki and he had been President of the
Olympus is the highest mountain of Greece, in the borders of Macedonia with Thessaly. It is 2917 m high. In ancient times, according to mythology, it was the residence of the 12 Gods. During Turkish Rule, it was a lair and stronghold for klephts and armotoloi.
Diamantis Nikolaos Olympios (1790-1856) or Kapetan Diamantis was klepht – armatolos and militant of the Revolution of 1821 from Pieria. He took part in numerous battles. In 1844, he was appointed Senator by King Otto.
Archimidis Oikonomidis was born in Skopos, East Thrace. He worked for the rehabilitation of the refugees in Thessaloniki and he contributed in the construction of the first elementary school at 40 Ekklisies district of Thessaloniki.
