- Fabrica Anogeianki will become a Centre for Mediterranean Music.
- The institution will display the renowned instrument collection of Ross Daly.
- Workshops for handcrafted and repaired classic instruments will run on-site.
- The center will organize continuous cultural activities, giving locals and guests an artistic center.
- Funded by the Crete 2021-2027 Operational Program, the project fits within the Sustainable Urban Development Strategy.
Preserved industrial property Fabrica Anogeianaki in Agia Triada, Heraklion, is about to change dramatically. Acquired by the Municipality of Heraklion, this former olive press will soon become a Center for Mediterranean Music, fusing history, tradition, and culture. Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos personally visited the site on March 18 with important officials to check the initial construction already underway.
Work on securing the structural stability of this historic building is now underway. Emphasizing the need for this project and its aim of maintaining the structure and providing the foundation for thorough plans, the mayor stressed that once finished, this project will give the Agia Triada region fresh vitality and a much-needed architectural and cultural rebirth.
“This historic building will be transformed into a Mediterranean Music Center and cultural space,” Kalokairinos remarked. “Its rejuvenation will provide a cultural hub for the community while showcasing the area’s significance. Though the building faces several structural challenges, this initial stabilization will pave the way for rapid development.”
Aiming for auction and later use, the restoration’s objective is for the project to advance quickly, with designs finalized within the following year.
Cultural Vision for a Contemporary Space
Along with many wells, it once contained an olive press, soap factory, and tanning facilities. Originally owned by Ottoman-era Turkish residents, the site passed hands over the years until Heraklion’s growing industrial character in the late 19th and early 20th centuries came to include it.
In 2011, the building, situated at the junction of Valestra, Savvathianon, and Melidoni streets, was declared a protected structure. Two stone-built, tile-roofed buildings with smaller auxiliary construction make up Fabrica, a stunning example of industrial architecture and evidence of the area’s strong industrial legacy, even if it has shown degradation over decades.
Now, the repurposing of this cultural institution has grand goals. Once finished, the venue will hold cultural events, seminars, and exhibits, among other things. Its focal point will be Ross Daly’s huge collection of traditional musical instruments, which he donated. Schools specialising in designing and fixing ancient instruments will further enhance the facility’s instructional value.
Rebuilding Fabrica Anogeianaki fits initiatives to highlight Heraklion’s architectural and industrial legacy.
