16. The Great Benefactors

Georgios Sinas (1783–1856) and Simon Sinas (1810–1876), originally hailing from Moschopolis (in present-day Albania), rose to prominence in Vienna as leading figures in the business and banking sectors. Among the wealthiest individuals of their era, they devoted significant resources to projects that left an enduring mark on Greece.

The Sinas banking house played a pivotal role in funding the National Observatory of Athens, equipping it with its first telescope and other advanced scientific instruments. They also financed the construction of the Academy of Athens, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture, and provided substantial financial support to the National University and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.

Both Georgios and Simon Sinas served as Consuls General of Greece in Vienna, strengthening Greek-Austrian relations and laying the groundwork for lasting collaboration between the two nations—a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

 

Konstantinos Bellios (1772 – 1838) His family hailed from Linotopi in the Grammos region before settling in Vlasti (Blatsi) in Kozani. As a successful merchant and banker active in Vienna and Bucharest, he accumulated considerable wealth, which he used to support Greece’s advancement in education and healthcare.

He was the founder of the Archaeological Society of Athens and a major benefactor of the Educational Society (Filekpaideftiki Etaireia). His personal library was donated to the Greek state, further enriching the nation’s intellectual resources. During the 1821 revolution, he also provided aid to Macedonian refugees who had sought shelter in the settlement of Nea Pella in Atalanti.

Understanding the critical need for medical care and driven by a commitment to social welfare, he funded the establishment of the Athens Eye Hospital, the first specialized medical facility in Greece dedicated to treating eye conditions. Furthermore, he contributed part of his real estate holdings to facilitate the construction of Athens’ first Municipal Hospital, addressing broader public health needs.

 

Stergios Dumba (1794 – 1870) and Nicolaus Dumba (1830 - 1900) Their roots trace back to Linotopi and Vlasti (Blatsi) in Macedonia. Stergios Doumbas emigrated to Austria after spending time in Serres, which he considered his second homeland. In Vienna, Nikolaos Doumbas was born. The family excelled in the cotton trade and rose to prominence as industrial giants.

They contributed to the establishment of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, notably funding the artistic execution of the frieze of the Propylaea. They also donated significant sums for the creation of schools, hospitals, and libraries in Serres, Thessaloniki, Kastoria, and Vlasti.