A special case
The Karanikolos Villa «is a special case for Greece,» architect Amalia Kotsaki told Kathimerini, «because apart from its architectural values it clearly shows the level of development and the culture of residents in the area, highlighting its historical character. «This rural villa, with its neo-Renaissance style and its obvious influences from Tuscany and from Italy in general, is an occasion for research into the Greek assimilation of Italian models. But it is of special interest since, being the property of Karanikolos, a rich local currant merchant, the building is an expression and promotion of the rising middle class in the western Peloponnese in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. «During the restoration study it proved to be a lively example of the application of a remarkable building technique that was ahead of its time and still has much to teach us.»