Church of Agios Nikolaos of the Thon Estate

Nikolaos Thon (1850-1906) was an important figure in Athenian society during the late 19th century. He was a businessman and was closely associated with the environment of King George I; he was also President of the Panellinios Gymnastics Society and a member of the Committee of the 1906 Summer Olympic Games. In his estate in Athens, the Church that was built is dedicated to the Saint to whom he owes his name. The construction of the centrally planned neoclassical church of Agios Nikolaos of the Thon Estate took place in 1900, following the designs of the architect Anastasios Metaxas, and not of Ernst Ziller, to whom they were attributed until recently. It is the only surviving remnant of the buildings of the “Mon Caprice” mansion of the church's founder, Nikolaos Thon. Besides, during the clashes of the Dekemvriana period, in 1944, the mansion was blown up and its ruins were demolished as they were considered dangerous. The Church was declared a historical monument by the Ministry of Culture in 1979.