Rallou House Hydra, a house with a pedigree for creativity!

Rallou House, so named for the renowned choreographer, Rallou Manou, has been the Mylonas Family home on Hydra island since 1950's. Arcitect Pavlos Mylonas had been invited back then to design a studio at the Hydra mansion owned by artist Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Gikas. Pavlos fell in love with Hydra and bought a cluster of ruins for himself. Over the years, he and his wife Rallou Manou made a haven for their young family. Incorporating ruined walls and artfully remodelling, they created the glorious home that the next generation now offer as a holiday rental.

Rallou Manou was key in the development of Modern Greek Dance, having studied in Berlin and in New York with Martha Graham. In 1951, she founded the Hellenic Choreodrama, a group promoting drama based on Greek literature, ancient, medieval and contemporary, through the collaboration of prominent Greek composers and artists designing sets and costumes.

Pavlos Mylonas designed important buildings in Athens, such as Mont Parnes Hotel and the National Gallery. He was Professor at the School of Fine Arts, as well as an architectural historian of international renown for his research in the architecture of the monasteries of Mount Athos.

This house has one of the best views of Hydra in all directions. You will see a canvas of Hydra Town & Harbour, the Peloponnese, Kaminia and all the way to Spetses beyond Dokos island, laid before you. Each sunset will be a new gem in your picture collection as will photos of the varying colours that the sun paints the town as it paces the sky throughout the day. The views are truly inspirational from every one of the vantage points both inside and out of the house. It is a breathtaking large complex, dominating the green space surrounding it. Interesting artwork and decoration are present everywhere.

APPROACH: Coming up from Hydra Town, you pass under an arch covering the street, connecting the main house to the west garden, and you are welcomed by the rich arcitectural and decorative shaping of detail.

DOWNSTAIRS: From the Main Entrance Courtyard (where you can take a quick hose shower to wash off the salt from your sea bathing) you access the Downstairs Entrance Hall.

ENTRANCE HALL: From here, you either dash out onto the East Courtyard or you stroll to the Main Living Room. On your way, there is the kitchen, pivotally located between inside and outside dining.

As you will see from the photos most areas of the house are traditionally built with very thick walls. Windows are strategically positioned to catch the light summer breezes and pass them through the house providing natural cooling. Even at the height of summer, the house is cool and airy. However, fans and airconditioning are provided in all bedrooms.

MAIN LIVING ROOM AND INSIDE DINING: The large Living Room and the East Courtyard are the central living areas, depending on time, mood and weather. At the front of the Living Room, a generous, stunning view of the town is perceived through a huge sliding window, which in fact, replaced the once fallen north wall. A dining corner is furnished with dining table seating six.

KITCHEN: The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you might need. Large refrigerator, sink, electric hob, fully operational antique electric oven, microwave, full set of cookware, dishware, cutlery, cups, mugs and glasses, coffee machine, toaster and other utensils. There is a small but practical bathroom downstairs, with a toilet, hand basin with marble surround, overhead shower, large mirror, good artificial lighting and hot water on demand.

UPPER FLOOR: Exit the Main Entrance Hall onto the East Courtyard. This courtyard has a large dining table and seating so you can dine overlooking the spectacular views. External stone stairs on your left lead to the Upstairs Entrance Hall, where you are greeted by more art and style. If you continue upward you reach the Upper Terrace.

BEDROOMS: There are three Bedrooms. A large high ceiling Master Bedroom is furnished with a comfortable recently restored antique iron double bed, period wardrobe and chest of drawers. Two windows on one side and another opposite allow excellent cross-ventilation. Adjacent to its south side is a private sitting room or dressing room.

Two smaller Bedrooms are accessed from the Upstairs Entrance Hall. One is double, the other twin; they have inter-connecting doors. The double bedroom has a private terrace facing south, where one can hang swimming suits, towels etc. to dry.

On the left of the entrance hall, is a corridor, with cupboards (not accessible to guests) leading to a large shower room.

LARGE SHOWER ROOM UPSTAIRS: This is probably the bathroom with the best view on the island –even when you are sitting on the toilet… Toilet, very large shower, marble bench with hand basin, hairdryer, good artificial light, ample natural light, mirror collection, views north and south, and, of course, hot water on demand. Water pressure is good all-round the year as an electric pump is installed in the basement.

OUTDOORS:
East Courtyard
This is probably where you will spend most of your time. Breakfast, late coffee, brunch, lunch, tea time, drinks, supper, dinner, late drinks, around the glass table, with or without music, under the decorated wall and covered patio. You may also sunbathe under the rubber tree or lie and read when the sun has departed.

Northern Veranda
Another spot you will probably enjoy in the evenings either for drinks or for dinner is the lowered northern pebble floored verandah, with a stunning view of the harbour, the lights and the boat activities.

Upper Terrace
Then there is the Upper Terrace, where you may spend some time sunbathing, but most of all, you will enjoy a variety of sunsets, each different from the previous one or the one next day. With or without drinks.

ORANGERIE: Then you can also wander around the property and find out more about the Orangerie, or the terraced gardens below the house.