The Lazarist Monastery is a versatile cultural center in Stavroupoli, Thessaloniki (25-27 Kolokotroni Street). It was an old monastic complex built in 1886 by monks of the order of Saint Vincent de Paul, called Lazarists from their headquarters in the church of Saint Lazarus in Paris. In 1997, after restoration and expansion, it turned into a cultural center.
The complex of the Lazarist Monastery is a unique and important place for the city of Thessaloniki. The modern building facilities of the Lazarist Monastery can house events of the most important institutions of the city, the National Theatre of Northern Greece, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Orchestra of Thessaloniki, the Region of Central Macedonia as well as the Municipality of Pavlos Melas.
The complex of the Lazarist Monastery has an area that covers approximately 20,000 sq.m.
It has a fully supported theater hall with 657 seats as well as a smaller one with 200 seats, in which theatrical performances of the National Theater of Northern Greece take place. Also, the Higher School of Drama of National Theater of Northern Greece is operating in the same premises.
The National Museum of Contemporary Art has its headquarters in the old building of the Monastery. In its halls are exhibitions such as its permanent collections, the Kostakis collection, which is the largest collection of Russian avant-garde artworks outside of Russia, as well as other contemporary artists.
The Cultural Center of Thessaloniki and part of the administration of the National Orchestra of Thessaloniki are housed in suitably designed spaces.
The outdoor area of the complex can host concerts, theater and musical performances during in summer season as part of the “Festival of the Lazarist Monastery”. On the balcony of the new part of the Monastery is the Small Stage, with a capacity of approximately 300 people, while on the third level is the summer cinema with 150 seats.
The complex has canteens in the outdoor areas during the Festival events. Finally, it has a 100-space parking lot for visitors.
Today, this versatile cultural center houses the Museum of Modern Art, the Sokratis Karatinos stage of the National Theater of Northern Greece, the Small Theater of the Lazarist Monastery of the National Theater of Northern Greece, the Drama School of the State Theater of Northern Greece, the administration of the National Orchestra of Thessaloniki and the annual Lazarist Monastery Festival, with concerts and events every summer.
Congratulation!