Former Bank of Greece Branch
0.37 km from the center
About
One of the distinctive modern buildings of Alexandroupoli's seafront is the former Bank of Greece branch, an imposing three-storey building with a basement, totalling about 1,012 sqm.
The building was constructed in 2000, replacing an older leased premises that had housed the Alexandroupoli branch of the Bank of Greece. The design was assigned to architect Konstantinos Theodorakis, under the supervision of Nikos Sapountzis from the Bank's Technical Department.
The building has a strict, cubic form, with classical references in the treatment of its façades. Its architecture differs noticeably from Alexandroupoli's older neoclassical buildings, but it is a distinctive example of the city's more recent architecture.
From the Bank of Greece to the Municipality of Alexandroupoli
For several decades the building was the central operating point of the Bank of Greece branch in Alexandroupoli. The Bank's presence in the city carried particular significance for the area's economic life, and the building became linked to Alexandroupoli's modern economic history.
In 2024 the property passed into the ownership of the Municipality of Alexandroupoli. The purchase was completed by contract in September 2024, for a price of 1,340,000 euros, funded from the Municipality's own resources.
The transfer gave the building a new outlook, as the Municipality can now use it as a space serving cultural, educational and development activities.
A New Use as a Cultural Space
After being acquired by the Municipality, the former bank building began to take on a new cultural identity, hosting exhibitions, events, presentations and other activities.
This new use is of particular interest to the city, as a building designed for a strictly economic and administrative role is gradually being transformed into a public space for culture and creation.
A Different Kind of Architectural Landmark
Unlike buildings such as the old Post Office or the Leontarideios School, which are linked to the historic architecture of Dedeagach and the early 20th century, the former Bank of Greece branch represents Alexandroupoli's more recent architectural history.
Its position on the seafront, its cubic mass and its restrained form make it easily recognisable when walking through the area.
It isn't necessarily a sight visited solely for its exterior appearance. But it holds greater interest when included as part of a walk along the seafront, together with the historic buildings, the port and the city's other points of cultural interest.
From the City's Economic to Its Cultural Life
The building's story is interesting precisely because it sits at a transitional point: it began as a bank branch and today is taking on a new public role.
For a visitor to Alexandroupoli it is thus a small but distinctive piece of the city's more recent history, and an example of how buildings created for specific functions can take on new life.
Photos
Contact
- Λεωφόρος Βασιλέως Αλεξάνδρου, Αλεξανδρούπολη
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- modern-architecture
Weather in Alexandroupoli
LiveFrom 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.
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One of Alexandroupoli's most beautiful green spaces, ideal for a walk and coffee in the shade of the pines. Proskopon Park is one of the city's most beloved green spaces and a pleasant spot for a walk, relaxation and coffee under the trees. It is a short distance from the centre and a good choice when you want to step away from the city's bustle for a while without leaving it. A Green Space Within the City The park stands out for its dense vegetation, and especially for its tall pines, which provide shade and make the space pleasant even in the hot summer months. It's one of the places Alexandroupoli's residents go for a walk, some rest, or a coffee in a cooler, quieter setting. Oxygono Inside the park operates Oxygono, a popular dining and coffee spot that has become synonymous with the Proskopon Park experience. Especially in summer, the tables under the trees offer a different experience from the city's seafront cafés. It's a good choice for an afternoon or evening coffee, especially when you want some coolness and greenery. More Than a Park Proskopon Park has been linked for years to Alexandroupoli's social and cultural life. The space periodically hosts events, activities and gatherings, while its large size and natural setting make it one of the most important outdoor recreation spots near the centre. Its location is also especially convenient. It can easily be combined with a walk to the seafront avenue and the Lighthouse, creating a route that passes through greenery, the city, and finally the sea. When It's Worth It Most Summer is perhaps the best season to get to know the park. On hot days, the shade of the pines offers a pleasant alternative to the beach, while in the afternoon hours the park takes on a particularly beautiful atmosphere. For a relaxed stop: coffee at Oxygono under the pines. For a walk: strolling through the park and then heading towards the seafront and the Lighthouse. For families: the open space and greenery offer a calmer spot for some rest within the city. One of the Places Worth Getting to Know Proskopon Park isn't a sight in the classic sense. But it is a distinctive piece of everyday Alexandroupoli, and one of the places where you can see how residents enjoy their city.
1.12 km
NEWZarifios Pedagogical Academy
One of Alexandroupoli's most distinctive historic buildings stands on the western side of Independence Park. The Zarifeios Pedagogical Academy is a significant part of the educational and intellectual history not only of the city but of Thrace as a whole. The historic building today houses the 1st Experimental Primary School of Alexandroupoli. A Building With a History Older Than the Academy The building's history is a little older than the Zarifeios Pedagogical Academy itself. Construction had already begun during the Ottoman period, likely for a different use - it is not fully documented whether it was intended as a naval, military or other type of school. After the area's incorporation into Greece, construction continued in order to house the Alexandroupoli Teachers' College. The building was completed around 1930, and the Teachers' College moved there during the 1930-1931 school year. Its first director was the noted educator Theodoros Kastanos, who played a decisive role in completing and launching the new educational institution. The Founding of the Zarifeios Pedagogical Academy In 1934 the Teachers' College was dissolved and replaced by the two-year Pedagogical Academy of Alexandroupoli, for training teachers. The Academy was named Zarifeios in honour of the great Constantinopolitan benefactor Georgios Zarifis , whose bequest funded the educational effort. Georgios Zarifis had dedicated significant resources to Greek education and was closely associated with the Zarifeia Teachers' Colleges of Philippoupolis (Plovdiv). After their closure, part of that funding was redirected to the educational effort in Alexandroupoli. An Educational Centre for All of Thrace The Academy's significance quickly outgrew Alexandroupoli. For many decades it was a major centre for training teachers for Thrace and, more broadly, northern Greece. Generations of students passed through its halls and went on to work as teachers in schools across Thrace and other parts of Greece. The Academy was thus one of the key institutions through which Alexandroupoli gained a stronger intellectual and educational role in the region. Physical education also holds a special place in its history. A recent 2026 academic study, based on archival material, specifically examines the teaching of gymnastics at the Zarifeios during 1934-1982, along with the gymnastics displays and competitions held as part of training future teachers. From the Academy to Today's School The Pedagogical Academy remained in the historic building until its educational activity was transferred to the facilities of Democritus University of Thrace. Today the same historic building continues to be used for educational purposes, housing the 1st Experimental Primary School of Alexandroupoli, with STEM activities, skills workshops, and national and European educational programmes. The building is thus not merely a preserved monument of the past, but remains a living school, with an educational function that continues to this day. The Building and Independence Park It's worth seeing as part of the wider urban landscape too. The large neoclassical building stands on the western side of Independence Park, forming one of the city's most distinctive architectural ensembles. Its position within the park, its imposing façade and its historical use make it an easily recognisable landmark when touring Alexandroupoli. In its grounds also stands a marble bust of Georgios Zarifis, the work of sculptor Nikos Perantinos. A Living Monument of the City The Zarifeios Pedagogical Academy is one of those Alexandroupoli buildings that is especially interesting precisely because its history hasn't stopped. From the Teachers' College of the 1930s, to the Pedagogical Academy that trained generations of teachers, and on to today's 1st Experimental Primary School, the same building links more than nine decades of the city's educational life. For visitors, it's worth combining with a walk through Independence Park and the other historic buildings of central Alexandroupoli.
0.43 km
NEWAlexandroupoli Sea Scouts Building
The Sea Scouts Building stands on Alexandroupoli's seafront, below the Courthouse and above the boat shed (Neosoikos), and is a facility directly linked to the city's maritime and scouting tradition. The 1st Sea Scout Group of Alexandroupoli is based there. The building The building was constructed in 1967. In a record of the facilities in the port's land zone, it is listed as "Sea Scouts Building serving the area's Sea Scouts", with a ground floor of 158.38 sq.m. and a first floor of 180.65 sq.m. History and connection to scouting Its history is linked to the development of sea scouting in Alexandroupoli and the city's relationship with the sea. Indeed, a historical reference in the local press notes that the former Evros Scout Commissioner Christos Gerontopoulos contributed to the construction of the Sea Scouts' boat shed building on the city's seafront. Today The Sea Scouts still use the facility. The 1st Sea Scout Group of Alexandroupoli officially lists its seat as the seafront, below the courthouse, and publishes 25510 31634 as its contact phone number. The building is not simply an office space. It serves as a reference point for the Sea Scouts' activities and for preserving the city's maritime tradition. Notably, during Alexandroupoli Maritime Week 2026, the Scouts presented activities featuring nautical models, photographs, scouting memorabilia and large constructions, highlighting the connection between scouting and the sea.
0.34 km
NEWAlexandroupoli Prefecture Building
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
0.24 km
NEWNatural History Museum of Alexandroupoli
In the lush Platanotopos Maistrou, about two kilometres east of Alexandroupoli, stands the Natural History Museum of Alexandroupoli, a space dedicated to nature, biodiversity and the distinctive ecosystems of Evros. The museum's location is especially interesting, as it sits within a plane-tree grove where forest, wetland and marine ecosystems meet within a relatively small area. The Eirini stream, a tributary of the Evros, runs through the site and flows out near the port of Maistros. Discover the Natural Heritage of Evros The permanent exhibition presents the area's natural diversity through separate sections on land, wetland and marine ecosystems. Visitors learn about the flora and fauna, the natural landscapes and the characteristic ecosystems of Evros, while the exhibition also covers how human activity connects with and affects the natural environment. The presentation isn't limited to conventional display cases. The museum uses photographic material, audiovisual installations and multimedia to make engaging with the natural environment more experiential. A Museum Within Nature One of its distinctive features is that the building itself is part of the experience. The museum was designed as a modern building integrated into the natural landscape of the Platanotopos. Its architecture is designed so that the accessible ramp-roof offers views over the wider area, connecting the exhibition space with the natural environment it presents. The visit can thus continue outside the museum too, with a walk through the Platanotopos and the natural surroundings of the stream. Platanotopos Maistrou The museum's location is ideal for combining with a short escape to Platanotopos Maistrou, a green space for outdoor recreation very close to the city. The plane trees, the water and the dense vegetation create a landscape quite different from the urban centre, and the area lends itself to walking and relaxing. For this reason, the museum can be part of a wider visit to the Platanotopos rather than necessarily a destination visited in isolation. Educational Character The museum also has a strong educational character. Educational museum programmes and creative workshops have been carried out, making use of both the indoor spaces and the natural surroundings of the museum, aiming to give visitors direct contact with the natural wealth of Evros. A Different Way to Get to Know Evros The Natural History Museum is especially interesting for those who want to learn what lies behind the landscape they see around Alexandroupoli. The forests, the wetlands, the Evros river, the coastal areas and Thrace's rich wildlife are not separate elements, but parts of one complex natural environment. The museum functions as an introduction to this world before exploring it in nature itself. Combines well with: Natural History Museum → Platanotopos Maistrou → a walk in nature and relaxation under the plane trees.
3.91 km
NEWHistoric Post Office Building of Alexandroupoli
One of Alexandroupoli's important historic buildings is the old Post Office, at the junction of Megalou Alexandrou and Nikiforou Foka streets, very close to the seafront. It is an early 20th-century building, linked for decades to the operation of the city's postal services, and stands today as one of the listed buildings of historic Alexandroupoli. One of the City's Oldest Buildings The building was built with rendered masonry, a raised ground floor and a distinctive central entrance reached by an external staircase. The façade is symmetrically arranged, with rectangular corner stones, a tiled roof and a perimeter parapet as distinctive features. Its architecture belongs to the city's historic building stock from the period when Dedeagach was developing into an important administrative, commercial and transport centre of Thrace. A Building With an Important Historical Path The building's history isn't limited to its function as a post office. During the period of the Inter-Allied Administration of Thrace, the building was used as the city's administrative headquarters. This is also linked to a particularly significant event in Alexandroupoli's modern history: photographic records exist from May 1920, when the French flag was lowered and the Greek flag raised, shortly before Greek troops entered the city and it was incorporated into the Greek state. The building is thus not only an example of Alexandroupoli's architectural heritage, but also a witness to a critical period in the city's history. A Listed Monument The building's shell has been designated a listed monument, by a ministerial decision published in 2013, with special terms and restrictions for its protection. The protection concerns its architectural and historical value, and places the Post Office among the buildings that keep living elements of old Alexandroupoli alive. Worth Noticing on a Walk The building sits in a spot that can easily be included in a historic walk through central Alexandroupoli. A short distance away are several other important buildings and monuments of the city, such as the Metropolis, the Leontarideios Urban School, the Court House, the Zarifeios Pedagogical Academy and other buildings linked to the city's history and architecture. For visitors it is more a historic building worth observing on a walk than a sight visited from the inside, unless a specific access opportunity exists.
0.15 km
NEWCourthouse of Alexandroupoli
In Alexandroupoli's seafront zone stands the historic Court House, one of the distinctive buildings that preserve the image of the older city. The building stands out for its neoclassical form, symmetrical façade and tall columns, and today still houses judicial services. A Building With Over a Century of History The building's current form is not entirely from the same period. The ground floor was built in the 1910s, while the first floor was added in 1958. The building's present appearance is thus the result of different construction phases. There is also an important detail worth noting: the Court House was not the first building used for the city's judicial function. After Thrace's incorporation into Greece, the courts were initially housed in the old Ottoman courthouse, opposite the Academy, on the site of today's Magistrate's Court and near today's Independence Park. The need for a new court building had already become clear by the late 1920s, as the old Ottoman building had serious problems. Alexandroupoli's Judicial History The organised judicial presence in the city is directly linked to Thrace's incorporation into the Greek state. The 1920 legislative framework provided for courts to operate in the annexed areas, and in 1923 the Court of First Instance of Evros was established, seated in Alexandroupoli, along with the corresponding Magistrate's Courts of the region. The Court House is therefore part of the city's institutional history, not just an old building on the seafront. One of the Seafront's Distinctive Buildings Architecturally, the building belongs to Alexandroupoli's historic building stock. The symmetrical composition, columns and decorative elements of its façade give it a distinctive neoclassical appearance. The building itself has been recognised as one of the city's important architectural and historic buildings. Despite its age, it continues to be used for the administration of justice. The Alexandroupoli Bar Association is also headquartered at the Court House. A Building Worth Noticing on a Walk For visitors, it isn't a sight in the sense of a museum or a place visited from the inside. Its value lies mainly in its architectural and historical presence. It sits along the seafront route and can be part of a historic walk together with other distinctive buildings of old Alexandroupoli, such as the Historic Post Office, the Zarifeios Pedagogical Academy, the Leontarideios Urban School, the old National Bank building, and other buildings of the historic city.
0.28 km
NEWEcclesiastical Museum of Alexandroupoli
In the heart of Alexandroupoli, on the Metropolis square, stands the Ecclesiastical Museum of the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupoli, one of the most important places to learn about the ecclesiastical and refugee history of Thrace. Since 1982 the museum has been housed in the Leontarideios School, a historic neoclassical building next to the Metropolitan Church of Agios Nikolaos, which has been designated a listed monument. The museum was founded in 1976, and its collection comprises more than 400 items of ecclesiastical art, gathered mainly from churches and monasteries of the ecclesiastical province of Alexandroupoli. Icons and Ecclesiastical Art At the core of the collection are portable icons, representing different categories and iconographic types of the Orthodox tradition. There are icons of Christ, the Virgin Mary and saints, iconostasis icons, pilgrimage icons, as well as post-Byzantine works. Most of the works date to the 18th and 19th centuries, with some older pieces reaching back to the 15th century. Of particular interest are the dedicatory inscriptions that preserve the names of painters, donors and sponsors, offering valuable information on the history and artistic output of the region. More Than Icons The collection is not limited to icons. It includes sacred vessels, priestly vestments, woodcarvings, liturgical books and early printed books, as well as other objects linked to the region's religious life and ecclesiastical tradition of Thrace. The exhibition is organised across eight rooms, each presenting a different facet of ecclesiastical art and heritage. Of special value are also the heirlooms brought by refugees from Eastern Thrace and other parts of wider Thrace, preserving not only the ecclesiastical but also the personal history of the communities that settled in the Alexandroupoli area. The Leontarideios School The building housing the museum is itself worth noting. The Leontarideios School is an important part of the city's history and has been a listed monument since 1978. The museum moved in in 1982 and reopened in 2000, following conservation work on the building and its exhibits and a new museological presentation. Combine Your Visit A visit to the Ecclesiastical Museum can easily be combined with the Metropolitan Church of Agios Nikolaos, right next door. The church was founded in 1892 and inaugurated in 1901, and is one of Alexandroupoli's most important historical and religious monuments. The church also houses the important carved wooden icon of Panagia Trifotissa, brought to Alexandroupoli by refugees from Ainos and dating to the late 13th century. A visit to the Metropolis square can thus become a small cultural walk combining the Metropolitan Church of Agios Nikolaos, the Ecclesiastical Museum, and the history of Thrace's refugee communities. Why It's Worth Visiting The Ecclesiastical Museum is particularly interesting for those who want to learn about the history of Thrace through objects preserved from churches, monasteries and refugee families. The icons, vestments, liturgical objects and early printed books are not merely works of art, but testimonies to the religious life and historical journey of the region's communities.
0.79 km
NEWAlexandroupoli Historical Museum
In the heart of the city, opposite the Town Hall, the Historical Museum of Alexandroupoli is a space of memory and knowledge dedicated to the history of Alexandroupoli and the wider region. Through photographs, objects, archival material, reconstructions and modern audiovisual media, visitors can follow the city's journey from its founding to the present day. The museum opened its permanent exhibition on the history of Alexandroupoli in June 2011, while a second permanent exhibition, dedicated to the collection of folklorist Eleni Filippidi, was completed in 2015. The History of Alexandroupoli The main permanent exhibition presents the history of the city and the region through different thematic sections. Visitors learn about the area's archaeological heritage, the founding and growth of Alexandroupoli, the era of Dedeagach, and the decisive role played by the railway and the port in the city's creation and economic development. The exhibition continues with Alexandroupoli's urban and architectural character, its economic and political trajectory, its intellectual and social life, and the different population groups that helped shape the city. The museum thus does not simply present a series of old objects, but narrates how Alexandroupoli itself was created and evolved. From Dedeagach to Modern Alexandroupoli Of particular interest to visitors is the city's history before and during the early years of the Greek period. The exhibition helps convey how a relatively new settlement grew into a major port and railway hub of Thrace. The railway, the port, commercial activity and the multicultural composition of the population were key elements of the city's development, and are presented through records and visual material. The Eleni Filippidi Collection A significant part of the museum is the permanent exhibition drawn from the collection of folklorist Eleni Filippidi, a figure with a significant presence in Alexandroupoli's cultural life. The exhibition is dedicated to the Sarakatsani of Thrace, and in particular to the life of Sarakatsani women and their nomadic way of life. It presents traditional costumes, everyday objects, reconstructions and works of art. Of particular note is the collection of "panaoules", the distinctive Sarakatsani women's aprons, which carried not only a practical use but also a special symbolic character. A Museum That Stays Active The Historical Museum is not limited to its permanent exhibitions. It holds archival material and a library, and functions as a space for culture, research and education. Its premises host talks, conferences and workshops, book presentations, literary events and temporary exhibitions, while also organising educational programmes and excursions of historical and cultural interest. The museum thus carries out activity that goes beyond a simple visit to its collections, and stands as an active cultural institution of Alexandroupoli. A Good Place to Start Getting to Know the City For a first-time visitor to Alexandroupoli, the Historical Museum is especially useful as a starting point for understanding the city before exploring it. After the visit, many of the places one encounters on a walk through the city, from the railway and the port to the old buildings and the different neighbourhoods, gain more historical context.
0.16 km
NEWPanagia tou Evrou (Makri)
A church in Makri, one of the religious landmarks of the wider Alexandroupoli area, a worthwhile stop for those exploring Evros' small churches.
19.49 km
NEWThe Two Iron Trees
Alexandroupoli has been searching for a tree to explain its name for more than 150 years. The real tree was never preserved — but two iron ones have been, at the city's northern entrance. The Rusted Oak (2010) The metal oak sculpture was installed by the Municipality in May 2010, at the Old Hospital junction. The choice of tree was meant to symbolise the city's historic name, "Dedeağaç" (Turkish: dede = grandfather/dervish, ağaç = tree) — according to local tradition, a wise dervish, or a grandfather with a hut under an oak near today's Prefecture building. It also nods to the ancient "Dryos para Serreion", one of the fortified towns of the Samothracian Peraia mentioned by Herodotus. The work carries no artist's signature, and from day one it sparked fierce debate: many consider it tasteless — a fake, rusty tree in a city that badly needs real greenery, especially after the devastating 2023 Evros wildfires. For others it has become a landmark — "let's meet at the rusted oak". The Smart Solar Tree (2026) Sixteen years after the oak, in April 2026 the city gained a new, high-tech "relative" on Agiou Dimitriou street: a Smart Solar Tree that harvests energy through photovoltaic "leaves", provides street lighting at night, and doubles as a charging point for passers-by's phones and tablets. It was installed as part of the "Urban Regeneration of Northern Alexandroupoli and Expansion of the Cycling Network" project (funded under the "Antonis Tritsis" programme), which also includes new smart pedestrian crossings, over 120 magnolia trees and 180 trees with automated irrigation, modern LED lighting and upgraded bus stops along Agiou Dimitriou and Herodotou streets. If the 2010 oak was nostalgia, the 2026 solar tree is sustainable urban art that combines aesthetics with environmental awareness. Nearby Near the rusted oak are the Old Hospital, the Tax Office and the 3rd Junior High School "Domna Visvizi". Near the solar tree is Agiou Dimitriou square and the new magnolias.
1.1 km