ΣΥΝΤΡΙΒΑΝΙ ΤΑ "ΔΕΛΦΙΝΙΑ"
Τα δελφίνια είναι ένα γλυπτό συντριβάνι που αποτελείται από τρία δελφίνια και βρίσκεται σε ένα από τα πιο χαρακτηριστικά σημεία του νησιού, εκεί που τελειώνει το λιμάνι, λίγο πριν τη ΔΕΗ. Η παρουσία του είναι τόσο ισχυρή που όλη η περιοχή ονομάζεται "Δελφίνια" και για δεκαετίες αποτελεί σήμα κατατεθέν για το νησί μας, σημείο συνάντησης για ραντεβού ή πανηγυρισμούς.
Τα "Δελφίνια" τοποθετήθηκαν στη θέση που βρίσκονται επί δημαρχίας Θωμά Κορουλάκη, κατά τη διάρκεια της Χούντας από το 1967-1970. Πριν, οι μαρτυρίες λένε ότι υπήρχε στη θέση αυτή μία συκαμινιά κι ένα βαρέλι, όμοιο μ' αυτό που βρισκόταν στην πλατεία Ελευθερίας.
Συμπερασματικά, το γλυπτό τοποθετήθηκε ανάμεσα στις αρχές του 1969 και τα τέλη του 1970.
![]() |
Οικογενειακές φωτογραφίες τη δεκαετία του 1970 μπροστά από το συντριβάνι Δελφίνια, φαίνεται η περίφραξη που έχει πια αλλάξει (all rights reserved) |
The Dolphins is a fountain sculpture consisting of three dolphins, located at one of the island’s most iconic spots—right where the harbor ends, just before the Public Power Corporation (ΔΕΗ). Its presence is so strong that the entire area is called “Delfinia”, and for decades it has been a landmark of our island, a meeting point for appointments or celebrations.
That is why I was surprised when, in trying to find information about its construction and placement, I could not locate any official record of when it was created or installed at the spot where it has now stood for about 50 years.
Only through oral testimonies (over 50 people were asked) was I able to conclude the following:
The “Dolphins” were placed at their current location during the mayoralty of Thomas Koroulakis, under the Junta (1967–1970). Before that, testimonies say that there was a mulberry tree and a barrel at that very spot, similar to the one that stood at Eleftherias Square.
On January 17, 1969, residents remember a very severe flood, and at that time the fountain was not there. At the same time, my uncle Giorgos Thalassinos opened the café of the same name, “Delfinia”, at the end of 1970. For him to name it after the Dolphins, the fountain must have already been in place.
In conclusion, the sculpture was installed sometime between early 1969 and late 1970.
The dolphins were made of an alloy of aluminum, antimony, and lead, cast in a mold by Spyros Kardoulias in a furnace–foundry somewhere near Eleftheriou Venizelou Street.
Even regarding the sculptor’s identity, many names were mentioned, including Sakalieros, Segraidos, and Geranis. However, after Mr. Voukouvalidis spoke with the son of Spyros Kardoulias, Yiannis, it was confirmed that the late Kardoulias was indeed the creator of both the sculpture and the fountain. The fountain’s surrounding fence has changed over the years, as can also be seen in photographs.
The fountain often undergoes pipe maintenance and cleaning with pressure washers.
Family photographs from the 1970s in front of the Dolphins fountain show the old fence, which has since been replaced. (all rights reserved)
Source: Oral testimonies. Special thanks to Mr. Savvas Kenanopoulos and Mr. Stamatis Voukouvalidis for their assistance.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου