Also known as "Drakospita" or "cave of dervishes", the Gardens of Pasha in Thessaloniki, Greece, are a controversial attraction that few have heard of.
It is an excellent example of the so-called fantastic architecture, with some even likening it to the works of the famous Antonio Gaud. In Barcelona, and more specifically to some of his sculptures in the famous Park Guell.
If we put down the dates, in fact, we can understand that in time the creation of these two works coincides. Specifically, the Gaud. created the park after his acquaintance with the Guell, the very rich family of Barcelona who commissioned him to create a new district, between 1900-1914.
Although the park was never completed (the plans were to build 60 houses, of which only three managed to be built), to this day it is a unique architectural project, which culminates in Gaudi's fame and talent.
On the other hand, the Pasha Gardens, with structures very reminiscent of those of Guell Park, were created in 1904, as stated in the inscription on the gardens.
The church, the hospital Agios Dimitrios and the gardens
The only historical explanation for the existence of the green park that one encounters going up straight from the Fountain Square (in the area of the University Campus), next to the Castles, in Ano Poli is this specific inscription. This is a fenced area, just behind the Agios Dimitrios hospital, outside the eastern walls of the city.
According to historical records, this area outside the eastern walls, which includes the holy water of St. Paul, the Cedar Hill and the quarries, was given to the church, which in turn in 1875 handed over the rights to the Philoptochos Brotherhood for the purpose of creation of cemeteries.
In 1901 the area from the holy water of Agios Pavlos to Evangelistria came under the jurisdiction of the Prefecture, which at this point built the Hamidie Hospital, which was later renamed Xenon and Dimotiko, and today, after the Liberation, goes by the name Agios Dimitrios . According to the inscription, which is in the hospital, the gardens belong to him, as they were created to decorate their back.
The area they occupy reaches 1.000 sq.m., while for their name there is no archive that connects it with a Pasha. Most attribute the name of the park to Seifullah Pasha, as the stories state that this place was his sanctuary.
The fantastic architecture of the park
The most impressive element of the park is none other than architecture which characterizes it, which follows the style of fantastic architecture. This is a term used mainly for works that have been created after completely free combinations both in building materials and in its composition, with their construction attributed to unknown craftsmen who stand out for the complete lack of practicality in their creations.
The History of Architecture, however, has not always accepted this term, which is mainly attributed to popular architecture. Gaudστική's Guell Park is also listed in this fantastic architecture. Barcelona, with which many are those who liken the Garden of Pasha in Thessaloniki.
The buildings of the park are small, while they have alleys and stairs on various levels. For their creation, beams and iron bars were used, on which bricks and raw stone are supported. The presence of water, according to the composition of the space, seems to have played an important role, as its existence is perceived by the facilities.
The only surviving parts of the park today are a fountain that surrounds a tunnel, a low gate leading to a basement, an elevated living area and a cistern for collecting water. If one observes the construction a little better, one will surely remember images from fossil forest.
The creepy myths that accompany the Pasha Gardens
One of the most mysterious places in Thessaloniki would be almost paradoxical not to be followed by creepy legends, which turn the park into an even more eerie destination.
One of them, based on the various imitations of figures and strange symbols on the walls but also on the gallery that leads nowhere, wants the Pasha Gardens to be a meeting place for the Ottoman masons of Thessaloniki, who, in fact, belonged to the close circle of Seifullah Pasha with whom he has combined the name of the park, according to the stories of the locals.
Also, there are many who claim that the stones with which the buildings have been created are struck by lightning, while rumors claim that the Gardens of Pasha were the end of the catacombs of Thessaloniki.
Another unconfirmed rumor that surrounds the park is that the gardens served as a place where occult ceremonies and human sacrifices took place. A location chosen by the followers of the Occupation and shaped in such a way that it is not perceived by the locals.
The most popular urban myth, however, it refers to Mavri Petra Street, which leads to a dead end at the height of Kipi. The curious thing about this road is the fact that every three days at 12 o'clock at night there is a lost road, which no one knows where it leads.
The residents of the area, however, are not intimidated by the myths and legends that "haunt" the park, claiming that these are stories that started for fun and, finally, to this day we are dealing with them.
The most logical version and interpretation of the birth and spread of the myths about the Gardens comes from a lover of history. He explains that at the time when the bad loss with the pounds had taken place and the whole country was digging to get rich, there had been a strong reference to the Pasha Gardens.
Thus, in a way, the area had to become "cursed", in order for the smartest of the time to carry out their research undisturbed. The same is true of Mavri Petra Street, which has always led to the same place. It just had to make every sacrifice approachable, for exactly the same reason.