Μεταξουργείο Μπενουζίλιο, Thessaloniki Travel Guide

Metaxourgeio Benouzilio, located in Pylaia, a suburb of Thessaloniki, offers a glimpse into the area's industrial heritage. The site's history dates back to before 1886 when it functioned as a ceramics factory under the Allatini family. Around 1919-1920, Levi Benouzilio, an Israeli, acquired the property and converted it into a manufacturing workshop for locks and buttons, providing employment for numerous refugees, including children.In 1952, while many silk mills were disappearing, Benouzilio managed to survive by adapting to various uses related to weaving. The property was inherited by Benouzilio's daughter, Lily, who sold it to the Mouha brothers in 1976. In 1988, the three old buildings, the boundary wall, and the chimney were designated as historical landmarks.The architectural ensemble includes the original two-story building and several later additions. A square, two-story structure, now partially collapsed, and a half-height chimney are also on the premises. The original building and the elongated ground-floor addition remain in relatively good condition. The building's durability is attributed to its stonework, visible where the plaster has worn away. The roof is hipped and tiled with ceramics from Allatini and Pierre Amedee of Marseille. The cast-iron columns are a notable feature, also found in a few other city buildings.While the site is currently in a state of disrepair, its historical significance and architectural features offer a unique insight into Pylaia's past.