The Manoli hotel was the centre of gaiety for the Levantine community pre 1922, and the roll-over shows dates (1838 - 1900) on the doorway, possibly corresponding to the construction of the original building and establishment of the hotel.
image courtesy of Alex Baltazzi
The owners of the hotel, the Greek Dimitrio Defterego and his wife Marianthe had to leave the city with the 1922 events, and together with their son Manos, start a new life in Alexandria in Egypt. Manos was married to Maria Baltazzi, paternal aunt of contributor Alex Baltazzi, who visited the family in their villa in the 1960s (period of the above card) in the Alexandrian suburb of Bulkely, and records that the couple died in the 1970s. Manos was keen on horses, impeccibly dressed, from the photo, seems to have been a huntsman and worked for the Rees shipping, a family with roots in Buca. His sister married into the Buca English family of the Clarkes.
Mr Alex Baltazzi with Roland Richichi (coordinator, Mr Noel Micaleff president) were members of a committee set up in 2002 engaged in the project to convert this former hotel to an old people’s home.
A mini yoghurt pot (7.5 cm high) made in England (Doulton) with a shop address in London suggesting a family member had a food shop and this was probably one of the products on offer.
image courtesy of Fabio Tito
Views showing the property in a restored state in October 2005.
image courtesy of Fabio Tito
image courtesy of Roland Richichi
Roland Richichi at the front entrance of the newly completed rest home for the elderly.
image courtesy of Roland Richichi
The winter garden within the courtyard of the old people’s home
image courtesy of Roland Richichi
image courtesy of Roland Richichi
image courtesy of Roland Richichi
image courtesy of Roland Richichi
further interior views
Unfortunately this establishment was closed by the running committee at the end of 2014.
click here to view photos of the neighbouring Catholic church of St. John the Baptist