Paris Belleni

Parisis Belenis was born in 1871 to a poor family. As a young man, he left for Cairo, Egypt, where a significant Lerian community had already formed. Through hard work and efforts, he managed to distinguish himself and create a significant fortune. He served for many years as president of the Greek community of Cairo and financially supported numerous public benefit projects. In 1925-26, he built his summer residence in the form of a tower on the beach of Alinta. A structure that has been classified as a work of art and is protected by the Ministry of Culture. Today, the tower has been transferred to the Municipality, is open to the public and has been converted into a museum. Two years before his death, in 1955-1956, he built the Bellenion Gymnasium in Agia Marina, which to this day operates as one of the two gymnasiums on the island.