Papafi Children's Center

The Papafi Children's Center, an iconic building in Thessaloniki, has its roots in the vision of Ioannis Papafis, who was born in 1792 in Thessaloniki and spent much of his life in places such as Smyrna, Alexandria, and Malta, where he passed away in 1886. With the desire to contribute to his hometown, he established an endowment for the construction of an orphanage for boys, known as "Meliteus," which was built between 1894 and 1903.

Designed by the architect Xenofon Paionidis, the building is characterized by its attractive E-shaped layout, symbolizing Free Greece. Surrounded by a beautiful pine grove, the Papafi Center provided housing and care for orphans while also offering technical education in various fields such as tailoring, carpentry, shoemaking, furniture making, electrical work, blacksmithing, and machining.

Throughout its history, the building has hosted generations of young boys from Thessaloniki, providing them not only with shelter but also with the tools to pursue their futures. Additionally, during times of crisis, it has been used as a hospital. Today, the Papafi Center continues its mission, operating as a Children's Care Center for boys, and keeps alive the legacy of Ioannis Papafis in the city.