The Kokovikos house in Plaka, Athens, Greece from the 1965 Greek movie. Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture
The Greek Ministry of Culture has launched a major restoration of the Kokovikos House, located at 32 Tripodon Street in the historic Plaka district of Athens in Greece. Built in the early 19th century, this three-story building covers approximately 2,860 square feet (266 square meters) and features a continuous wooden veranda across all levels.
The house, once the cinematic home of Antonaki and Elenitsa in the classic 1965 Greek film Let the Wife Revere Her Husband, has been designated a protected historic site.
Funded with $1.8 million from the Attica Regional Operational Program (ESPA 2021–2027), the project aims to restore the main building and its courtyard, conserve ancient architectural remains, and convert the site into a cultural space for screening Greek films.
The Kokovikos house in Plaka, Athens, Greece. Credit: Hellenic Ministry of Culture
On transforming Greece’s Kokovikos house in Plaka into a cultural venue
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized the significance of the project:
“The Ministry of Culture, as part of a broader program to protect and highlight publicly owned buildings in Plaka—the neighborhood most closely associated with Athens’ historic center—proceeds with the restoration of the Kokovikos House, famously known as the cinematic home of Antōnaki and Elenitsa.
Transforming this building into a cultural venue for Greek cinema not only preserves one of the few surviving traditional Athenian houses but reintegrates it into contemporary life. The restoration of the main building, much of the courtyard, and the facade contributes to both the historical character of the street and the cultural life of Plaka.
Along with the Koletti House, the Elytis House, the building at 7 Dioskouron Street (soon to house the Karolos Koun Museum), and the Kostis Palamas House, we are creating a core of infrastructure for cultural uses that highlight the diverse eras and stories of Athens. I thank Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias for his outstanding cooperation in enhancing the capital’s cultural identity.”
Proposal for the restoration of the Kokovikos house. Credit: Hellenic Ministry of Culture
Once complete, the Kokovikos House will serve as both a preserved architectural landmark and a living cultural center, connecting Athens’ cinematic history with its urban heritage, while offering visitors an immersive glimpse into traditional Athenian life during the early 19th century.