The shot, a tinted postcard, shows a substantial building known as the “Sporting club”, which was a theatre catering for the many nationalities living then in Smyrna. Built in the 19^th century, the “Sporting club” was constructed by the architect Vitalis, having a well-ornamented rectangular ceiling, a huge chandelier with 40 glass shades lit by gas, an auditorium of 600 seats and the most important of all with an orchestra pit the operas, operettas and theatres staged at this art centre created a very important potential. As an example we can give the operetta entitled “Mascotto” which was performed for the first time on this stage during the opening ceremony. Below a close up image and the building post 1922 fire.

The building served different uses over different times: before 1922 it was the National Bank of Greece, and a period before that it was the local stock exchange (Bourse) and after 1922 it was used as the main post office. This art-nouveau building still stands today and is used as the Izmir Tourism and Information Office.

The building used by this bank, on the shore-front, pre-1922 fire, below the aftermath of the fire.

The seafront of Smyrna smoulders post the 1922 fire.

Archive views of the interior of Alsancak / Konak neighbourhoods, archive views of the neighbourhood further North | South - archive views of the effects of the 1922 Fire