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Historic
data
The
Argentikon Estate was built in the 16th
century by the Argenti family whose
presence on the island as traders dates
back to the middle of the 14th century.
During
World War II, the elaborate bronze and
copper doors of the Argentikon were hidden
in a monastery in Mestra, Italy, in order
to prevent pillage by occupation forces.
Between 1944-1945, Phillip Argenti made
the Argentikon available as a place of
rest to the British naval officers in the
area. In 1947, as a token of gratitude,
the British admiralty transported all the
doors from Venice, Italy back to Chios.
In
1954, Phillip Argenti hired Michael
Rozakis, a local laborer, and sent him to
Ventimiglia, Italy and Nice, on the Cote
d'Azur coast of France, to educate him in
the fine art of gardening. He learned to
maintain typical Ligurian formal gardens,
still enjoyed at the Argentikon today.
In
1988, the Argentikon became a member of
the French Association, "La Vie de
Chateau", an entity that grouped
together 141 castles throughout Europe. In
1991, the international magazine
"Harpers & Queen" selected
the Argentikon, based on its beauty and
maintenance, to be among the 100 best
villas in the world. Recently, the
Argentikon Estate has been designated a
historic monument by The Ministry of
Culture.
After
a multi-million dollar renovation, which
has included restoration of the palazzo
building to its pre-earthquake splendor,
the entire Argentikon Estate has been
transformed to one of the most perfect
examples of medieval Genoese architecture
in the Levant.
Exquisite
Old World craftsmanship and 21st century amenities
have been combined to create an estate
unsurpassed in beauty and refinement.
Great care has been given to the
decoration of each suite with period
furniture and marble bathrooms. |
