The residence of the Rossidis family is one of the most characteristic buildings of the historical center of Limassol, the attraction of the street of Archbishop Cyprian and the whole city.
The building, in which today is the rector of the University of Tepak, was erected in 1882. Its initial owner, Georgios Russia, was an outstanding resident of Limassol and a noticeable figure in the political and economic arena. In the residence, he lived with his family, handing the first floor to the shops.
After a series of financial failures of Russia, the building was departed by the British colonial administration and was used to accommodate administrative services. Until the 1950s, the former residence functioned as an office of the land cadastre service and the office of the colonial administration. In the 1950s, the administration moved to the building of the former hospital on the current Vazrsartisias Street, and the cadastre remained in the residence for another 50 years. During this period, the building was caused by serious damage, which influenced its appearance both inside and outside. For example, wooden doors were replaced by metal, and concrete structures appeared in several places that created a dissonance with masonry of the building.
In 2004, the building was transferred to the TPAK University, which conducted a study and decided to organize a full restoration, returning its original appearance to the residence. The project demanded an investment of 6 million euros, and after all the completion of all work, the Rossidis House again became the sight of the city center and the dominant of the newly formed University Square.
Photo by AllaboutLimassol.com
This article was first published in the "Vestnik Cyprus" on October 27, 2021. Part of the information could be outdated.
