Alexandroupoli Prefecture Building
ΑΞΙΟΘΕΑΤΟ

Alexandroupoli Prefecture Building

0.24 km from the center

About

Alexandroupoli's Prefecture Building, also known as the Evros Administration House, is one of the city's characteristic public buildings and a place of particular historical and cultural significance. Today's building stands on the same site as the historic Administration House, continuing the site's administrative and public presence.

The history of the site is closely linked to the physician Alexandros Kritis, one of the people who left a significant mark on Alexandroupoli's history.

Alexandros Kritis and the "Villa of Doctor Alexandros Kritis"

Alexandros Kritis was a physician who settled in Alexandroupoli and became involved in the city's social and public life. His residence, referred to in historical sources as the "Villa of Doctor Alexandros Kritis", acquired particular importance.

Kritis donated his residence to the Greek State so that it could be used for a public purpose. This donation was linked to the creation of the Administration House and is the main reason his name is still preserved in the history of the site today.

Today, the memory of Alexandros Kritis is kept especially alive at the Prefecture Building. The hall on the second floor bears the name "Alexandros Kritis Hall", in honour of the great donor, while the space also hosts an excerpt of his will.

The building's own historical presentation includes a permanent photo exhibition narrating the evolution of the site, starting from the Villa of Alexandros Kritis, continuing with the old Prefecture, and ending with today's building.

The old Prefecture

The historic Administration House that followed the donation was a distinctive two-storey wooden building in baroque style. According to historical records, the building had initially been used as the Russian Consulate, and after the city's liberation it was used as the Administration House.

For many years it served as an important administrative centre of Alexandroupoli and housed services of the Evros Prefecture.

The building was also linked to significant events in the city's modern history. Eleftherios Venizelos spoke to the residents of Alexandroupoli from its balcony during his visit to the city in 1930.

The old wooden building no longer survives today. It was demolished and the newer Prefecture building was built on its site.

Today's Prefecture Building

Today's Prefecture Building stands on the same site as the historic Administration House, at Vasileos Alexandrou 26.

The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace officially records it as the Prefecture Building, while documents of the Regional Unit of Evros refer to it separately from the central building of the Regional Unit of Evros at Karaoli & Dimitriou 40.

The new building was erected on the site of the old Prefecture and represents the modern continuation of the site's administrative use. The history of the old building has not been lost, as it has been preserved in the new Prefecture Building through photographic and historical material.

Of particular interest is the permanent photo exhibition that records the site's journey: from the original Villa of Doctor Alexandros Kritis, to the old Prefecture, and finally to today's building. Marble plaques bearing the names of appointed and elected local government officials have also been placed in the same space.

A place of administration but also of culture

The Prefecture Building is not exclusively an administrative space. Its halls and spaces have repeatedly been used for painting exhibitions, photographic and visual arts presentations, talks, conferences, lectures, cultural events and other public activities.

Notably, in 2025 the Prefecture Building hosted a painting exhibition by the Alexandroupoli Visual Arts Association, while informational and social activities were also held in the same space.

The Prefecture Building has also been used for lectures and educational activities. The "Alexandros Kritis" Hall, on the second floor, has repeatedly hosted lectures by the Region's Lifelong Learning Structure, as well as other public events.

The building's courtyard has also been used for cultural events, among others within the framework of the Via Egnatia Festival.

In the courtyard there is also a faithful replica of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, an element that symbolically connects the building and the city with neighbouring Samothrace and one of the most important works of ancient Greek art.

From the Villa to the Administration House and today's Prefecture Building

The history of the site can be seen as a journey through three stages: Villa of Doctor Alexandros Kritis → historic Administration House / old Prefecture → today's Prefecture Building.

This makes the site particularly interesting for the history of Alexandroupoli. It is not simply a modern public building, but a place that reflects the city's transition from the early period of its development to its modern administrative identity.

The presence of Alexandros Kritis, the history of the old Administration House, the visit of Eleftherios Venizelos, the permanent photo exhibition, and the site's present-day use for administrative as well as cultural activities together form a significant part of Alexandroupoli's historical memory.

Information

Name: Alexandroupoli Prefecture Building. Alternative name: Evros Administration House. Type: Historic site / Public building. Address: Vasileos Alexandrou 26, 681 32 Alexandroupoli.

Contact

The Prefecture Building hosts different services, so there is no single phone number for all of its functions.

Office of the Deputy Regional Governor of the Regional Unit of Evros - Phone: 25513 50452

Directorate of Development of the Regional Unit of Evros - Phone: 25513 50509, Email: anaptixi.evrou@pamth.gov.gr

Directorate of Transport & Communications of the Regional Unit of Evros - Phone: 25513 50556, Email: metaforonevrou@pamth.gov.gr

Directorate of Rural Economy & Veterinary Affairs of the Regional Unit of Evros - Phone: 25513 57147, Email: papadakis@pamth.gov.gr

Official website of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: pamth.gov.gr

Regional Unit of Evros: pamth.gov.gr/perifereiaki-enotita-evrou

Contact

  • Βασιλέως Αλεξάνδρου 26, 68132 Αλεξανδρούπολη

Useful Information

Weather in Alexandroupoli

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20°CCloudy
Feels like 18°C 10 km/h 44%

From April to June and from September to October you get warm days, calm sea, and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy along the seafront, while winters stay mild but rainy.