Ernest Hébrard: Thessaloniki Honors Its Visionary Architect

At Ktima Gerovassiliou, we believe that art belongs to everyone — and that public space is the ideal setting for free access to culture and creativity. Staying true to this belief, we continue to invest in public sculpture, aiming to create contemporary landmarks that enrich the city’s identity and cultural fabric. 

Following the installation of Kostis Georgiou’s sculpture on Thessaloniki’s waterfront, we are proud to support yet another significant project: an architectural installation in honor of the French architect and urban planner Ernest Hébrard. 

Designed by Nikos Kalogirou, Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the installation draws inspiration from the Parisian folies and serves as both a point of remembrance and an open-air information hub, shedding light on Hébrard’s lasting contribution to Thessaloniki’s urban planning. 

The installation was officially unveiled on Thursday, May 22, along the Hébrard Walkway, in the park opposite the YMCA. As the Mayor of Thessaloniki Stelios Angeloudis noted, this was a "beautiful moment for the city" and a "well-deserved tribute" to a man whose vision shaped Thessaloniki's modern identity. 

Spyros Bougias, President of the City Council, highlighted the importance of this initiative in redefining the public’s connection with urban space. 
Prodromos Nikiforidis, Deputy Mayor for Technical Works and Sustainable Mobility, announced the city’s intention to establish a Hébrard Square at the southern end of Aristotelous axis. 

Jean-Luc Lavaux, Consul General of France in Thessaloniki, expressed heartfelt emotion at the tribute, honoring a man who envisioned a new Thessaloniki. 
Architect Nikos Kalogirou spoke of the museological significance of the project, emphasizing its role in deepening public understanding of the city’s modern history.